Studies on Biometric Parameters and Water Requirement of Medicinal Plants under an Agro-shade Net Irrigated with Micro-sprinklers in Coastal Odisha

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in an agro shade-net house in the Precission Farming Development Center (PFDC), Central Farm, OUAT, to determine the growth and yield of medicinal plants namely Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) and Ghikunari (Aloe vera) irrigated by micro-sprinklers. The medicinal plants were planted inside the shade net house as well as in open field condition to evaluate the different growth parameters and water requirement. It was observed that overall growth of medicinal plants in terms of height, number of branches, and coverage area per plant inside shade net house were less as compared to the field condition. Plant height at harvest (after 7th month) inside shade net was 21.5% less in Aloe vera and 16.4% less in Ocimum sanctum than open field condition as measured in the field. Number of branches inside shade net was 7.26% lower in Aloe vera as compared to the open field condition. For Ocimum sanctum the number of branches was 7.6% lower inside shade net as compared to the open field. Coverage area of the plant is also lower inside shade net which was 3.31% lower in Aloe vera and 28.5% lower in Ocimum sanctum as compared to the open field condition. Overall growth of the medicinal plants was more in open field condition as compared to the inside of the shade net due to lack of light intensity and more humidity inside shade net. So agro-shade net is not suitable for both the medicinal plants during their growth period, rather open field condition are more suitable for the plants in the present condition. However, water requirement of the medicinal plants were found to be less inside shade net than in open field condition.