Studies on the effect of fertilizer levels and plant densities on growth of Ambrette (Abelmoschus moschatus Medic.)

Introduction

Ambrette (Abelmoschus moschatus Medic.) is used as a medicine and in perfumery industry. Ambrette popularly known as muskmallow yields scented seed possessing an aroma similar to that of musk (kasturi) obtained from the Musk-deer (Moschatus moschifera) and valued for its volatile oil. connected to other outer surface by stomium cells. The different grades of essential oil consisting mainly of macrocyclic lactone, ambrettolide and sesquiterpene alcohol, farnesol are isolated from the aromatic substances obtained from its seed (Hegde et al., 1994) [12] . The liquid ambrette oil of commerce blends excellently with many other oils including rose, neroli and sandalwood oil. In medicines, seeds are used as a tonic, aphrodisiac, antispasmodic and carminative. They allay thirst, check vomiting and cure diseases like kapha and vata and are useful in healing intestinal disorders, stomatitis, dyspepsia, urinary discharge, nervous debility, hysteria, and skin diseases like itch and leucoderma and also valued as cardiotonic. Medicinal and aromatic plants play a vital role in the medicine and perfumery industry. In India because of varied climatic conditions, more than 2000 species of medicinal and aromatic plants have been reported. The use of medicinal and aromatic plants and their products is as old as history. Due to harmful side effects associated with the use of synthetic drugs and antibiotics, there is good scope for these plants in Ayurvedic as well as Unani medicines. Among the several medicinal and aromatic plant species, Ambrette has a prominent place and is used in medicinal as well as in the perfumery industry. Ambrette (Abelmoschus moschatus Medic.) belonging to the family Malvaceae, is a close relative to okra, a popular vegetable crop. It is universally known as Ambrette and the oil extracted from the seed is called Ambrette oil. It is also known as Musk mallow. The crop is native to India and grows throughout the tropical regions. Sowing dates play an important role in germination, growth and seed yield in many crops.

Materials and Methods

The present investigation was carried out at the herbal garden, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during the kharif season from August 2010 to March 2011. The experimental site is situated at an altitude of 542.3m above the mean sea level on 17.9 latitude and 78.23 east longitudes. Good quality bold seeds of Ambrette were obtained from Medicinal and Aromatic Research Station, Rajendranagar. The seeds were soaked in water for 24 hours. At the time of sowing, the seeds were dibbled at a depth of 2.5 cm. After the preparation of land and formation of plots, the recommended dose of fertilizers. During the initial stages of growth, irrigation was given at three to four days interval and once in eight to ten days at the later stages and it varied based on the weather and soil moisture conditions. A total of three earthing up was done at 45 days interval to provide better anchorage to the plants. The harvesting stage of the pods was identified when the pods turned blackish and with the appearance of white strips on pods, the harvesting was done regularly at 6-7 days intervals before the pods split and shed the seeds. Seeds were separated and dried. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with 9 treatments in Kharif replicated four times which comes to a total of 36 plots. The treatments included three plant densities S1 (50 × 30 cm), S 2 (50 × 40 cm), S 3 (50 × 50 cm) and three different fertilizer levels F 1 (75 kg N, 50 kg P, 40 kg K), F 2 (100 kg N, 50 kg P, 50 K), F 3 (125 kg N, 50 kg P, 60 kg K). The total number of treatments comprise as 9 treatments with 4 replications laid out in 36 plots. The different treatments are T 1 = 75 kg N + 50 kg P + 40 kg K and 50 × 30cm, T 2 = 100 kg N + 50 kg P + 50 kg K and 50 × 30cm, T 3 = 125 kg N + 50 kg P + 60 kg K and 50 × 30cm, T 4 = 75 kg N + 50 kg P + 40 kg K and 50 × 40cm, T 5 = 100 kg N + 50 kg P + 50 kg K and 50 × 40cm, T 6 = 125 kg N + 50 kg P + 60 kg K and 50 × 40cm, T 7 = 75 kg N + 50 kg P + 40 kg K and 50 × 50cm, T 8 = 100 kg N + 50 kg P + 50 kg K and 50 × 50cm, T 9 = 125 kg N + 50 kg P + 60 kg K and 50 × 50cm. Each plot is of 5 × 4 cm size and laid as flat beds. After complete preparation of the experimental plots, seeds of ambrette were sown on August 25 th , 2010 by dibbling method.

Results and Discussion

Plant height

Among different spacings, plant height at 75 days after sowing decreased with increase in spacing. Significantly highest plant height (37.06 cm) was recorded with 50 × 30 cm spacing followed by 50 × 40 cm (33.15 cm) and 50 × 50 cm (27.24 cm). Among the different fertilizer levels N, P and K at 125: 50: 60 kg per ha recorded significantly maximum plant height (36.37 cm) at 75 days after sowing followed by N, P and K 100: 50: 50 kg per ha (32.65 cm) and 75: 50: 40 kg per ha (28.43). The interaction between different fertilizer levels and planting densities was also significant with plant height at 75 days after sowing. Among different interactions, it was found that, planting distance of 50 × 30 cm and fertilizer level of N, P and K at 125: 50: 60 kg per ha recorded significantly highest plant height (42.53 cm). 3.2 Plant spread (cm) at 75 days after sowing Among different spacings, plant spread at 75 days after sowing increased with increase in spacing. Significantly highest plant spread was recorded with 50 × 50 cm spacing (85.25 cm) while 50 × 30 cm (78.59 cm) was on par with 50 × 40 cm (79.09 cm) Among the different fertilizer levels N, P and K at 125: 50: 60 kg per ha recorded maximum plant spread (85.85 cm), while N, P and K 100: 50: 50 kg per ha (79.23 cm) and 75: 50: 40 kg per ha (77.86 cm) were on par. The interaction between different planting densities and fertilizer levels was also significant with plant spread at 75 days after sowing. Among different interactions, it was found that planting distance of 50 × 50 cm and fertilizer level of N, P and K at 125: 50: 60 kg per ha recorded significantly highest plant spread (93.45 cm).

Number of branches at 75 days after sowing

The number of branches in the experimental plants was counted at an interval of 15 days right from 30 days after sowing and is presented in the table 15. Among different spacings, significantly highest number of branches (13.4) was recorded with 50 × 50 cm spacing followed by 50 × 40 cm (11.87) and 50 × 30 cm (9.85). Among the different fertilizer levels of N, P and K at 100: 50: 50 kg per ha recorded significantly maximum number of branches (12.71) followed by 125: 50: 60 kg per ha (11.46) and 75: 50: 40 kg per ha (10.95). The interactive effect of spacings and fertilizers failed to bring significant response on the number of branches per plant in ambrette.

The effect of different fertilizers and spacings on internodal length at 75 days after sowing of ambrette is presented in the table 19. Internodal length at 75 days after sowing was significantly influenced by spacings and fertilizer levels.

Among different spacings, internodal length at 75 days after sowing decreased with increase in spacing. Significantly highest internodal length (3.52 cm) was recorded with 50 × 30 cm spacing followed by 50 × 40 cm (3.27 cm) and 50 × 50 cm (3.06 cm). Among the different fertilizer levels N, P and K at 125: 50: 60 kg per ha recorded significantly maximum internodal length (3.83 cm) at 75 days after sowing followed by 100: 50: 50 kg per ha (3.29 cm) and 75: 50: 40 kg per ha (2.73 cm). The interaction between different fertilizer levels and planting densities had not shown any significance with internodal length at 60 days after sowing.

Number of leaves per plant at 75 days after sowing

The effect of different spacing and fertilizers on number of leaves at 75 days after sowing of ambrette is presented in the table 23. The number of leaves at 75 days after sowing was significantly influenced by spacings and fertilizers. Among different spacings, number of leaves at 75 days after sowing increased with increase in spacing. Significantly highest number of leaves (45.98) was recorded with 50 × 50 cm spacing followed by 50 × 40 cm (39.38) and 50 × 30 cm (35.68). Among the different fertilizer levels N, P and K at 125: 50: 60 kg per ha recorded significantly maximum number of leaves (44.07) at 60 days after sowing followed by 100: 50: 50 kg per ha (40.04) and 75: 50: 40 kg per ha (36.93).

The interactive effect of spacings and fertilizer levels failed to bring significant response on the production of leaves per plant in ambrette. However, the maximum number of leaves was produced when the plants were fertilized with N, P and K at 125: 50: 60 kg per ha keeping the sowing distance of 50 × 50 cm (50.05). The interaction of spacings and fertilizer levels also showed significant difference. The highest dry matter production (60.80 g) was observed with the combination of fertilizer level of N, P and K at 125: 50: 60 kg per ha and at spacing 50 × 50 cm.

Conclusion

From the results of research experiment based on these findings it is concluded that the maximum plant height and internodal length was recorded with fertilizer dose of N P and K at 125: 50: 60 kg per ha. A spacing of 50 × 30 cm recorded maximum plant height and internodal length. The interaction of spacing of 50 × 30 cm and fertilizer dose of 125: 50:60 kg per ha recorded maximum plant height and internodal length.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to the Dr. M. Padma, Head of the Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Research Station, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, for providing land facilities for carryout experiments.

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