Root yield and yield attributes of Aristolochia indica L. (Piperales: Aristolochiaceae) as effected by different spacing and fertilizer treatments in the North-East India

Rumi Kotoky, Anulekha Rabha and P. B. Kanjilal

Abstract
Aristolochia indica L. belonging to the Family Aristolochiaceae is used in Indigenous System of Medicine. The leaves are used in the treatment of cholera, fever and bowel troubles and roots are acrid digestive and also useful in ulcers, leprosy, skin diseases and all types of poisonous bites. A field experiment was conducted in the experimental farm of North-East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, India to evaluate the root yield and yield attributing parameter of plant Aristolochia indica, with application of different spacing and different doses of fertilizer trial. The results revealed that the plant responded to different spacing treatments significantly. Among the different spacings maximum plant height (460.25 cm), leaf number per plant (296.53) and leaf area per plant (115.00 cm²) has been observed in the spacing 90 cm x 45 cm whereas maximum dry root yield (2.09 t/ha) is recorded at the spacing of 90 cm x 90 cm. Linear increase in dry root yield has been found with the increase of spacing. In the first year dry root yield of the plant showed positive correlation with all the parameters except the primary branch number. But in the second year the same showed significant positive correlation with other yield attributing components. Application of different doses of fertilizers influenced the growth and yield in the crop. Maximum plant height (359.40 cm), leaf number per plant (450.20) and leaf area per plant (170.34 cm²) were recorded with 100:60:100 kg/ha NPK which is significantly superior to other doses. Use of 100 kg N/ha produced maximum dry root yield ranging from 2.18 t/ha to 2.31 t/ha in combination with both the doses of P and K. Root yield of the second year showed significant positive correlation with rest of the yield components. The results indicated that harvesting the crop in second year will be beneficial for getting higher root biomass.

Keywords
Aristolochia indica, Medicinal properties, Spacing trials, Fertilizer trials, Root yield.

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