Integrated Nutrient Management Fostered Economic Yield and Bioactive Principle of Medicinal Herb (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.) in Saline Soil of Semi-Arid Region of Western India. Issue 5 (9th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Basak, B. B.; Chinchmalatpure, Anil R.; Saha, Ajoy; Lodaya, Darshan H.; Patel, Pooja; Gajbhiye, N. A.
• Is Part Of: Communications in soil science and plant analysis. Volume 54:Issue 5(2023)
• Page Start: 611
• Page End: 626
• Publication Date: 2023-03-09
• Subjects: Herbage yield -- Indian senna -- nutrient management -- saline soil -- sennoside; Soil science -- Periodicals; Plants -- Chemical analysis -- Periodicals; Agricultural chemistry -- Periodicals; 631.405
• DOI: 10.1080/00103624.2022.2118304
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0010-3624

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In this investigation, cultivation of an economically important medicinal plant (Senna, Cassia angustifolia Vahl.) was explored in saline soil for improving productivity and quality through effective nutrient management practices. Field experiments were conducted in two consecutive growing seasons in saline soils of semi-arid region, where recommended dose fertilizer (RDF) supplied through organic (vermicompost) and inorganic (chemical) source alone or in combination with local microbial consortia (MC). Plant growth and nutrition significantly improved due to integration of organic and inorganic fertilizer alone or in combination with MC. The results also reflected in economic yield (leaf + pod) of senna where 29–37% increase in leaf and 57–76% increase in pod yield was recorded over control. The results revealed that integration of organic and chemical fertilizer along with MC recorded significant higher leaf (1682 kg ha −1 ) and pod (488 kg ha −1 ) yield as compared to the other treatment. Sennocide content in leaf and pod was significantly improved by organic as well as integrated application of organic and inorganic fertilizer. However, the highest sennocide content in leaf (2.81%) and pod (3.11%) was recorded in integrated application of organic fertilizer and MC. Additionally, integrated application of organic and chemical fertilizer was found effective in restoring organic carbon, increasing the amount of available nutrients (N, P, and K), and enhancing the biological activity of the saline soil. Therefore, integration of organic and chemical fertilizer as well as MC has potential to improve yield and quality of senna through enhanced soil fertility and biological function.