Root development, root yield and quality parameters as influenced by plant density and harvestingstages in shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd.)

Abstract

The present study, effect of plant density and harvesting stage on shatavari was carried out during 2019-2021 atKittur Rani Channamma College of Horticulture, Arabhavi. The results revealed that, maximum number of roots(209.10/plant), root volume (3346.66 cc), root length (37.64 cm), root girth (13.99 mm), higher fresh and dry root yield perplant (3.47 and 0.56 kg, respectively) and maximum fresh to dry root recovery (16.54 %) were recorded at wider spacingof 1.2 m × 1.5 m (D4). Maximum fresh and dry root yield per hectare (402.00 and 59.24 q, respectively) and total saponincontent (6.06 %) were obtained at closer spacing of 1.2 m × 0.6 m (D1). Among harvesting stages, H4 (18 MAP) recordedmore number of roots per plant (210.00), maximum root length (45.78 cm), root girth (14.87 mm), root volume(3712.50 cc), maximum fresh and dry root yield per hectare (359.73 and 55.20 q, respectively). D1H4 recorded maximumfresh and dry root yield per plot and per hectare and also higher gross returns (`7,58,250), net returns (` 4,43,038) andreturns per rupee of investments (2.41).