Influence of Nitrogen and Spacing on the Performance of Allium odorosum under Mid-altitude Foothill condition of Manipur

Abstract

Allium odorosum, locally known as Maroi Nakupi in Manipuri, is one of the important underutilized herbal spices of mid-altitude sub-Himalayan region. The present study was undertaken to find out the effect of nitrogen and spacing on Allium odorosum with three levels of nitrogen (45, 60 and 75 kg/ha) and six levels of spacing (15x7.50 cm², 15x10 cm², 15x12.50 cm², 20x7.50 cm², 20x10 cm² and 20x12.50 cm²) under foothill condition of Manipur. Nitrogen dose has significantly increased all the growth and yield characters. Irrespective of spacing, maximum leaf yield (8 t/ha) was recorded with nitrogen dose of 75 kg/ha. Spacing also influenced significantly all the characters under study except width of leaf. Irrespective of nitrogen dose, the closest spacing (15x7.50 cm²) recorded the highest leaf yield (10.28 t/ha) followed by 15 X 10 cm² (7.80 t/ha) due to higher plant population. Although higher number of leaves per plant (28.21) was recorded at wider spacing (20x12.50 cm²), it could not compensate the gain in yield due to more plant population under close spacing. Interaction between nitrogen and spacing was also found to be significant for most of the characters. Maximum leaf yield (11.20 t/ha) was recorded in plants grown with higher nitrogen dose (75 kg/ha) and closest spacing (15x7.50 cm²), followed by medium nitrogen dose (60 t/ha) and closest spacing of 15x7.50 cm²(10.58 t/ha).