Effect of integrated nutrient management on herbage yield of black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger L.)

A field experiment was carried out at Medicinal Plants Research and Development Centre (MRDC) , G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, during Rabi season of 2008-09 and 2009-10 to quantify the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) on herbage yield of black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger L.) . Soil of experimental field was sandy loam with pH 6.81, rich in organic carbon (0.92%) medium in available phosphorus (23.41 kg ha-1) and exchangeable potassium (209.42 kg ha-1), but low in available nitrogen (223.46 kg ha-1). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with 12 treatments using inorganic fertilizers, vermicompost and biofertilizers (Azotobacter and phosphate solubilizing bacteria) in different combinations including one control treatment. The treatments were control, recommended NPK (100:50:50 kg ha-1), 75% recommended NPK+2.5 tons ha-1 vermicompost (VC), 50% recommended NPK + 5.0 tons ha-1 VC, 25% recommended NPK + 7.5 tons ha-1 VC, 10 tons ha-1 VC, recommended NPK + biofertilizers, 75% recommended NPK + 2.5 tons ha-1 VC + biofertilizers, 50% recommended NPK + 5.0 tons ha-1 biofertilizers, 25% recommended NPK + 7.5 VC tons ha-1 + biofertilizers, 10 tons ha-1 VC + biofertilizers and biofertilizers alone. Dry herbage yield of H. niger increased with integrated application of inorganic and organic nutrients. A significant increase in herbage yield was observed with 75% recommended NPK + 2.5 tons ha-1 VC + biofertilizers followed by 75% recommended NPK + 2.5 tons ha-1 VC. It is therefore recommended that, 75 % recommended NPK along with 2.5 t ha-1 VC with or without biofertilizers is best to obtain maximum herbage yield of black henbane.