Study the effects of various growth regulator and crop architecture on Valeriana jatamansi - Crop raised through seed: valuable medicinal herb of Eastern Himalaya range

Abstract

An experiment was carried out during the year of 2010 - 2013 at Algarah farmer field (1740 m asl), under the aegis of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, to evaluate the effect of different growth hormone on seed germination of jatamansi, and assess the effect of date of transplanting and plant geometry on its economic and biomass production under the mid hill condition of West Bengal. An experiment was with various growth regulators on Valeriana jatamansi revealed that maximum seed germination was observed with KNO₃ (0.2%) (70.00±1.10), and significantly superior to rest of the hormonal treatments except Kinetin 200 ppm. This recorded 124 % more seed germination over the control. GA₃ 200 ppm took least time to start germination and was at par with Kinetin 200 ppm and KNO₃ (0.2%) treated seed. Transplanting of seedling during the first week of July gave significant response on fresh aerial biomass (g/plant) at 6 months only. However, plant spacing gave significant response all the stage of observation, and maximum aerial biomass was recorded with spacing of 30 x 45 cm, and was at par with 30 x 30 cm plant spacing. Maximum underground biomass was recorded with July transplanting with 30 x 45 cm. Maximum underground rhizome biomass was recorded with 30 x 45 cm spacing, and was at par with 30 x 30 cm spacing at 9 and 18-month stage of observation. Root biomass failed to produce any significant response with time of transplanting. However, maximum root biomass was recorded with July transplanting. More root growth was recorded with 30 x 45 cm and was at par with 30 x 30 cm spacing during 15 and 18-month observation.