Effect of Different Organic Sources of Nutrients on Growth, Yield and Quality of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graceum L.)

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.