Economics of Yield and Production of Alkaloid of <i>Withania somnifera</i> (L.) Dunal
- 1 Directorate of Research Services, Jawarharlal Nehru Krishi Viswavidylaya, Jabalpur, India
- 2 Dr. C.V. Raman University, Bilaspur, India.
Abstract
The yield parameters and cost economics of Withania somnifera were studied using Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) treatments . Withania somnifera is cultivated in around 10,780 ha with a production of 8429 tones in India. The annual demand of this herb increased from 7028 tones (2001- 20 02) to 9127 tones (2004- 20 05). The field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Jabalpur during Kharif season of 2008- 20 09 (1 st year) and 2009- 20 10 (2 nd year), whereas the laboratory work w as carried out in Quality Labo ratory, College of Agriculture, Jabalpur. The soil of experimental field was sandy loam in texture with pH 7.5, EC 0.18 dsm - 1 having good drainage. Soil analysis revealed that available nitrogen was low (202.0 kg·ha - 1 ) whereas available phosphorus (16.25 kg·ha - 1 ) and potassium (236.0 kg·ha - 1 ) were in the medium range. The present paper shows how t o determine the economics of varying INM treatments. Cultivation of W. somnifera in India is gaining popularity among farmers; however, due to poor soil fertility, and costly chemical fertilizers and pesticides its production is not economi cal or profitable.
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