Influence of organic manures on growth, yield and quality of makoi (Solanum nigrum L.)

Abstract

An investigation was conducted to find out the effect of different organic manures on growth, yield and quality of makoi (Solonum nigrum L.). The experiment comprised of 13 treatments consisting of different combinations of organic manures (FYM @ 10, 15 and 20 t, vermicompost @ 0.5 and 1.0 t and neem cake @ 0.5 and 1.0 t ha-1 ) and FYM 10 t + NPK @ 100:50:50 kg ha-1 through inorganic fertilizers. Maximum plant height, number of branches per plant, plant spread, number of leaves per plant, leaf area and total dry matter accumulation were recorded with the application of FYM 20 t + vermicompost 1.0 t + neem cake 1.0 t ha-1. Fresh and dry herbage yield were also maximum with the same treatment. However, application of FYM 20 t + vermicompost 1.0 t + neem cake 0.5 t ha-1 resulted in maximum alkaloid content and alkaloid yield, whereas, the highest net returns of Rs. 34,000 ha-1 and benefit to cost (B:C) ratio of 1.80 was recorded with the application of FYM 20 t + vermicompost 1.0 t + neem cake 1.0 t ha-1.