Question

Effectof nitrogen and row spacings in catharanthus roseus

Answer 1

The effect of row spacings (45, 60 and 75 cm) and various amounts of nitrogen fertilizer (0,100,200 and 300 kg N/ha) on plant growth, essential oil production and composition of Scotch spearmint was studied in the field during 1987 and 1988 in Lucknow, India. Nitrogen application increased plant height and leaf area index while decreased leaf-stem ratio and oil concentration, irrespective of row spacings. The green herbage and oil yields increased significantly up to an application of 200 kg N/ha at 45 or 60 cm row spacing as against up to 300 kg N/ha at 75 cm row spacing. The higher N application at 75 cm row spacing, however, did not increase oil