Effect of date of sowing and crop geometry on growth, yield and quality of ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2015-16 to 2017-18 at Seed Spice Research Station,S.D.Agricultural University,Jagudan on “Effect of date of sowing and crop geometry on growth, yield and quality of ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.)”. The soil was loamy sand in texture, neutral in soil reaction, with low in organic carbon, medium in available phosphorus and potash. There were four treatments of sowing date and three spacings were replicated thrice in factorial concept of randomized block design. Crop sown at 45 cm x 10 cm on 20^th October recorded significantly higher plant height, number of branches and umbels per plant as well as number of umbellates per umbel over rest of the treatments. Also,crop sown at 45 cm x 10 cm on 20^th October recorded significantly highest seed yield. The superior values of yield attributes noticed under optimum spacing may be attributed to better growth and development of individual plants under the density of less plant population,which resulted into better source to sink relationship due to availability of balanced and adequate nutrients and better light, space and moisture resulting in to higher seed yield.The quality attributes i.e. volatile oil remained unaffected due to different treatments of sowing date and crop geometry The crop sown on 20^th October at 45 cm row spacing confirmed higher net realization and BCR as compared to rest of the treatment combinations. Thus, to generate the more income and higher net realization, ajwain crop should be sown at 45 cm x 10 cm  on 20^th October by adopting these no cost technologies.