International Journal of Plant & Soil Science

The present investigation entitled Effect of different organic sources of nutrients on quality and economics of ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal] was carried out during Kharif 2021-22 at College Farm, College of Horticulture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Jagudan, Dist. Mehsana, Gujarat. Experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and twenty treatments viz., T₁: 100% RDN through FYM; T₂: 100% RDN through Vermicompost; T₃: 100% RDN through Neem cake; T₄: 100% RDN through Poultry manure; T₅: 80% RDN through FYM; T₆: 80% RDN through Vermicompost; T₇: 80% RDN through Neem cake; T₈: 80% RDN through Poultry manure; T₉: 60% RDN through FYM; T₁₀: 60% RDN through Vermicompost; T₁₁: 60% RDN through Neem cake; T₁₂: 60% RDN through Poultry manure; T₁₃: 80% RDN through FYM + Azotobacter + KSM + PSB; T₁₄: 80% RDN through Vermicompost + Azotobacter + KSM + PSB; T₁₅: 80% RDN through Neem cake+ Azotobacter +  KSM + PSB; T₁₆: 80% RDN through Poultry manure + Azotobacter + KSM + PSB; T₁₇: 60% RDN through FYM + Azotobacter +  KSM + PSB; T₁₈: 60% RDN through Vermicompost + Azotobacter + KSM + PSB; T₁₉: 60% RDN through Neem cake + Azotobacter +  KSM + PSB; T₂₀: 60% RDN through Poultry manure + Azotobacter +  KSM + PSB.

Maximum chlorophyll a, b and total at 90 DAS (at full bloom stage) (1.92, 0.75 and 2.11 mg/g, respectively) and withanolides content (0.32%) at harvest were recorded with treatment T_16. The maximum net income (₹ 1,38,707/ha) and benefit cost ratio (3.52) were also obtained in same treatment. Therefore, it can be concluded that the application of 80% RDN through poultry manure + Azotobacter + KSM + PSB (T₁₆) was found beneficial for obtaining higher yield of better quality and economic returns in ashwagandha.