Influence of shade and organic nutrition on growth, yield and quality of memory enhancing herb, Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri L.)

Abstract

Memory enhancing herb - Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri L.) has growing national and international demand owing to its various medicinal properties. In order to study the influence of shade and nutrient levels, an experiment was laid out in strip plot design with shade levels as the main plots (35% shade, 50% shade and 100% sunlight) and nutrients requirement as sub plots [50, 75 and 100% N equivalent through FYM, 50, 75 and 100% N equivalent through vermicompost, RDF (100:60:60 kg NPK/ha), RDF (100:60:60 kg NPK/ha) + FYM (10 t/ha)]. The results revealed that among different shade levels tried, superior plant growth, fresh and dry herbage yield and cumulative dry herbage yield of seven harvests were obtained in 35% shaded condition compared to 50% shade and open conditions. Among different nutrient levels tried, conjunctive use of recommended dose of fertilizers (100:60:60 kg NPK/ha) + FYM (10 t /ha) gave the highest dry herbage yield (16.35 t/ ha), which was on par with organic treatment consisting of 100% N equivalent through FYM + Arka microbial consortium @ 12.5 kg/ha/year (16 t/ha). However, highest content of bacopasaponin C and bacoside A were observed in 100% sunlight condition (1.88 and 2.93%, respectively) and in integrated nutrient management treatment. The results were very promising for acceptance of Brahmi for commercial cultivation especially in organic production scenario to ensure steady supply of quality raw material to cater the increasing national and international demand.