Evaluation of Kunapa jala and Pancha gavya on plant quality, physiology, biochemistry, yield and growth attributes – A case study of Withania somnifera Dun.

BACKGROUND: ‘Vrikshayurveda’, an ancient science of plant life described by Surapala, has clearly outlined a systematized agricultural practice that insisted on the use of Kunapa jala (KJ) and Pancha gavya (PG) to enhance the yield and quality of plants. OBJECTIVE: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of KJ and PG on growth, physiological, biochemical, quality attributes and yield of Withania somnifera Dun. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of KJ and PG was evaluated in comparison with control, organic (farmyard manure and humic acid) and inorganic (NPK) fertilizer at 60, 90, 120 and 150 days after sowing (DAS). The study was conducted in randomized complete block design method. RESULTS: KJ group were higher in, total leaf area (1707.89 cm(2)) at 120 DAS, leaf area index (3.795) at 120 DAS, crop growth rate (0.256 g m(−2) day(−1)) at 60–90 DAS, leaf area duration (101.909) at 120–150 DAS, relative growth rate (0.0170 g g(−1) day(−)(1)) at 60–90 DAS, net assimilation rate (0.0537 g m(−2) day(−1)) at 60–90 DAS. Leaf area ratio was higher in PG group (37.937 m(2) g(−1)) at 60 DAS. The higher levels of chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids were in KJ group (1.877, 0.745 and 1318.14 mg g(−1) respectively) at 90 DAS. Yield and quality attributes at harvest (150 DAS) indicated, higher dry root yield (5.93 quintal hectare(−1)), root length (15.66 cm) were higher in KJ group and root diameter was higher in PG group (1.36 cm). CONCLUSION: Vrikshayurveda practices viz. Kunapa jala and Pancha gavya were effective on studied parameters of W. somnifera. Economical and eco-friendly Vrikhayurveda practices can be initiated for sustainable agriculture.