Cultivation of Sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentina) as intercrop under subabul based medicinal agroforestry system
Abstract
Field studies were conducted on Sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentina) under Subabul hedge row intercropping system. 40-50 days old nursery raised seedlings of Rauvolfia serpentina were planted in three spacing 45 x 30 cm, 45 x 45 cm, 60 x 45 cm and four levels of fertilizer dose were given to plants viz. N0 P0 K0 Kg/ha, N20 P20 K15 kg/ha, N40 P40 K30 kg/ha, N60 P60 K45 kg/ha. Growth and yield parameters such as plant height (m), root length (m), fresh weight of root (kg/plant) & total root yield (on air-dried basis) (ton/ha) were measured at harvest time. Sarpagandha in a spacing of 60 x 45cm with the fertilizer application of Nitrogen 60 kg/ha, Phosphorus 60 kg/ha and Potassium 45 kg/ha registered maximum value for plant height (0.88 m), root length (0.56 m), fresh weight of root (0.32 kg/plant) & total root yield (on air-dried basis) (1.866 ton/ha) under Subabul trees.