Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT SOIL SUPPLEMENTS ON THE GROWTH AND DRY MATTER PRODUCTION OF INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL PLANT ANDROGRAPHIS PANICULATA NEES.

L.R. Saikia and Sristisri Upadhyaya

Abstract

Farm yard manure (FYM), organic manure and chemical fertilizer were used separately as different types of soil supple4 ments to assess the influence of soil ameliorators on the growth and dry matter production of an important indigenous medicinal plant Androgrophis paniculata. The results showed that FYM could be recommended as suitable soil ameliorator for rapid and healthy growth of A. poniculata in the agro climatic condition of Dibrug,arh. Favourable growth of the plants was noted in various levels of soil: FYM as ratio 1:4 > ratio 1:3 > ratio 1:2 > ratio I > ratio 1:0. Commercial -organics" made from animals and plant product that used as organic manure was found not suitable lor growth and dry matter production of the plants.The results in this case demand further investigation.Application of urea as chemical fertilizer may not be good for the crop.This supplement inhibited the plant growth at the rate of application 1g 2g. 3g and 4g per 2kg of soil (dry wt). Detail investigation is needed in this case also incorporating some more parameters like levels of watering and more intermcdinte levels of application in natural habitats.Additional information gathercd from the study is that the plants grow better under open shady places that receive 50% to 75% solar radiation.