Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
Enhancing growth, yield, and economic viability of Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Wall. Ex Nees) through various bioenhancers in Eastern coastal plain
*Article not assigned to an issue yet
Swain Subash Chandra, Nayak Swarajya Laxmi, Bal Sushri Sangita, Padhi Soubindra Kumar
Research Articles | Published: 24 October, 2025
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Keywords: Andrographolide, Biofertilizers, Green chiretta, Jivamrit, Organic production
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of organic nutrient sources and bio-enhancers on the morphological traits, yield, soil characteristics, and economics of Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata). The study used a split-plot design with three main treatments, viz., farmyard manure (M1 @ 1.5 t/ha), vermicompost (M2 @ 7.5 t/ha), and mustard cake (M3 @ 2.5 t/ha) and four sub-plot treatments, namely, control (S1), biofertilizers (S2), Jivamrit (S3), and biofertilizers + Jivamrit (S4). Results revealed that M2 produced the tallest plants (60.73 cm), while M3 recorded the highest number of branches (10), leaf count (113), leaf area index (1.21), dry herbage yield (2736.67 kg/ha), and andrographolide content (33.89 kg/ha). Among sub-plot treatments, S4 significantly enhanced plant height, leaf number, yield, and andrographolide content. The best interaction was M3S4, which produced the highest dry herbage yield (3362.2 kg/ha) and andrographolide content (43.39 kg/ha). Soil pH and macronutrient levels remained largely unaffected, though organic carbon increased notably in M3S4 (0.59%). Economic analysis showed M3S4 had the highest net return (Rs. 1,10,832/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (2.22). Overall, the integration of mustard cake with biofertilizers and Jivamrit proved most effective for enhancing growth, yield, and profitability in kalmegh cultivation.
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Author Information
AICRP on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and Betelvine, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, India