Influence of Eco-Friendly Manures on Dry Matter Production of Centella Asiatica (L.) Urban Under Upper Brahmaputra Valley Agroclimatic Zone

Abstract

Effect or different organic manures on production of biomass or a potential medicinal plant Centella asiatica (L.) Urban was studied al Dibrugarh University under Upper Brahmaputra Valley Agroclimatic Zone or India during 2008-2011. The aim was to know about the agronomic requirements of the wild medicinal plant for its organic cultivation. The runner cuttings or the plant were used as propagule in the present study The experiments were laid do'A n in RBD with Im x Im block sizes. Cowdung, compost and vermicompost were used as organic manure. Manures were applied at three levcb eg. cowdung @ 6, 9 and 12 t ha 1 : compost @ 4, 6 and 8 t ha I and vermicompost @ I, 1.5 and 2 t ha 1. Manure was applied one week ahead of plantation. weeding was done manually. Crop was harvested after 90 -120 days of plantation. The total biomass was expressed in l ha· 1 (dry wt.). The pH of manure was determined in I :5 water suspension by digital pH meter. organic matter by Wa lkley and Black's titration method. total N by Kjeldahl method, P by spectrophotometric method and K by flame photometric method. Maximum biomass (6.52 t ha 1 ) was obtained in cowdung @ 12 t ha I followed by cowdung (g 9 t ha 1 (6.35 t ha 1 ) and compost @ 8 t ha 1 (6.16 t ha 1 ). Maximum profit ( Rs. 1.02,-114/-) was obtained in application of cowdung @ 9 t ha 1 • followed by cowdung@ 12 t ha 1 (Rs. 1.01,028/) and compost @ 6 t ha 1 (Rs. 98.390/-). Organic cultivation of C asiatica, using locally available and cheap organic manures like cowdung and compost is highly encouraging in this Agroclimatic Zone. The technique is eco-friendly and its value will be many times more if it i, calculated in terms of environmental health. It is therefore recommended for sustainable management of the wild and important medicinal plant of this Agroclimatic Zone. Vermicompost is not advisable because of ih higher input cost than the others.