Effect of nitrogen and zinc application and boronated saline-sodie water on the herb yield, oil content and nutrient composition of palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii)

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted during 1997-98 and 1998-99 to study the effect of nitrogen, zinc and boron rich saline-sadie waler on herb yield, oil content and mineral composition of palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii). Three levels of boron in water (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/litre) having BC 8 dS/m and SAR 12.5; three nitrogen levels (40,80 and 120 kg N/ha) and four zinc levels (control 15,30 and 45 kg ZnSO₄/ha) were tested on the sandy loam soil On the basis of two years average data an extent of significant decrease could be noted in the range of 50,61 to 45,00 g/pot in herb yield, 0,65 to 0,60 % in oil content, 1.45 to 1.43% in N,0.218 to 0,214 % in P,0,88 to 0.85% in K and 30.13 to 28,61 ppm in Zn contents while an increase in the range of 0.45 to 0.48% in Na and 13.27 to 18.19 ppm in B contents at third cutting with the use of 10 ppm boron rich salinesodic water over 2.5 ppm boron level. Significant yield response to nitrogen and zinc appplication was observed upto 120 kg Nand 45 kg ZnSO₄/ha. The N. K and Zn contents increased while that of Na and B contents decreased with an increase in the level of nitrogen and zinc fertilization. However, the P content increased with nitrogen and decreased with zinc application. Neither N nor Zn application affect markedly the oil content in palmarosa, Results indicated that nitrogen and zinc fertilization would be beneficial in increasing palmarosa production when irrigation water contains more amounts of boron along with salts and sodium.