THE EFFECT OF SEEDING DENSITY AND POTASSIUM RATES ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF PSYLLIUM SEED (Plantago ovata)

Abstract

The study was conducted on psyllium seed to assess the combine effect of seeding density and potassium rates on growth, productivity and yield. A factorial study was carried out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), during winter season of 2020-21, at Tobacco and Medicinal Crop Research Institute, Tandojam. The seeding densities were maintained at 6.5, 7.5 and 8.5 kg ha^-1. Whereas potassium was applied @ 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 kg ha^-1. The data were recorded for various quantitative, qualitative and yield parameters. The results shown that all quantitative parameters had non-significant effect of various potassium levels and seeding density except plants  m^-2. The values of plants m^-2 were observed higher at potassium level 100 kg ha^-1 and seeding density level of 8.5 kg ha^-1. While the qualitative parameters had significant differences due to various potassium levels and seeding density, excludes days to 50% spike emergence, days to 50% maturity and seed index. The seed weight spike^-1 (g), seed index (g) and seed yield (kg ha^-1) were observed maximum from the plants where potash was applied at 100 kg ha^-1. In qualitative parameters, the seeding density at 7.5 kg ha^-1observed higher seed yield (1152.33 kg ha^-1). While higher seed weight spike^-1 (0.14g) observed at seeding density 6.5 kg ha^-1. Among growth parameter, leaf area was increased at potash level 60 kg ha^-1 and the values of seeding density showed higher leaf area at seeding density level 8.5 kg ha^-1. The same pattern showed of leaf area index where seeding density was higher at seeding density 8.5 kg ha^-1. Leaf area duration and total dry matter were found significantly higher at potash level 100 kg ha^-1 and seeding density 8.5 kg ha^-1. While the net assimilation rate was greater at seeding density level 8.5 kg ha^-1. It is concluded from the results that and seeding density 7.5 kg ha^-1 and increased levels of potassium at 100 kg ha^-1 had ensure better results for most quantitative, qualitative and yield attributes.