Abstract:
Fenugreek is a multipurpose spice crop whose parts are utilized as leafy vegetable, fodder
and condiment. It has aromatic, carminative, tonic and galactagogue properties. Seeds are
used as externally in poultrices for boils, ulcers and internally as emollient for inflammation
of intestinal tracts. Seeds are also used as adjuvant in pharmaceutical preparations and as an
ingredient in several Ayurvedic preparations. Fenugreek is an important spice crop with
good export value and the information on the effect of various organic sources of nutrients on
growth, yield and quality is lacking. Keeping this in view, the present investigation on
“Studies on effect of different organic sources of nutrients on growth, yield and quality of
fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.)” was carried out during rabi, 2008-09 at
Horticultural Research Station, Kowur (West Godavari District), Andhra Pradesh, India
with twelve treatments and three replications to find out the effect of organic manures on
growth, yield and quality of Fenugreek. Among different treatments, the application of 100
% RDF (Tn) recorded higher values for seed yield and yield attributing characters such as
number of pods plant'1, number of seeds pod'1, test weight and seed yield plant'1 resulting in
higher seed yield (12.01 q ha'1). Next to (T12) 100 % RDF, the better pod length, number of
pods plant'1 were recorded with the application of (T8) farmyard manure + poultry manure
resulting in higher seed yield (9.60 q ha'1). Similarly, the treatment consisting of (T6)
vermicompost + poultry manure also exhibited better performance in terms of test weight
and seed yield plant'1 leading to higher seed yield (9.55 q ha'1) next to (T8) farmyard manure
+ poultry manure and both the treatments were at par with each other. Among quality
attributes, crude protein content in seed was significantly influenced by the application of
organic manures and their combinations. The treatment, 100 % RDF recorded highest crude
protein (16.61%) as compared to other treatments. However, the treatments, T6 (16.19 %), T5
(15.98 %) and T8 (15.87 %) also recorded better crude protein % comparable with (Tn) 100
% RDF. Similarly, the crude fibre (7.75 %) in seed was significantly higher with application
of (T9) farm yard manure + neem cake and it was at par with (T12) 100 % RDF and (T8) farm
yard manure + poultry manure. It was found that the diosgenin content was not affected by
various treatments. Considering the seed yields and B : C ratio and nutritive value of seed
and straw in view, it can be concluded that application of T8: Farmyard manure @ 2.8 t ha'1
+ Poultry manure @ 3.5 t ha'1 was found promising and can be recommended for obtaining
higher yield with improved quality of fenugreek.
