Effect of organic manures, biofertilizers and harvesting schedules on growth and yield of asparagus, Asparagus racemosus under mid-hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh

Asparagus racemosus Wild is one of the most regularly used medicinal plants as Rasayana in traditional system of Ayurveda. It is mainly known for its phytoestrogenic properties and used as galactagogue, aphrodisiac, demulcent etc. Considering the medicinal and economic importance of A racemosus and meagre information on it in Himachal Pradesh, study was conducted on the effect of different organic manures, biofertilizers and harvesting schedule on growth and yield of it. The maximum plant height (53.73 cm), number of branches/plant (4.5), number of roots/plant (31.15), fresh root weight (63.85 g), dry root weight (13.42 g), fresh root yield (20.58 q/ha) and dry root yield (4.97 q/ha) were recorded when the field was applied with a combination of FYM 5 tons/ha + vermicompost 2 tons/ha + PSB compared to other treatments. Harvesting 24 months after transplanting in the main field resulted in maximum yield attributes compared to the 12 and 18 months. Economic analysis revealed that highest cost of cultivation (Rs 37120/ha), total cost of production (Rs 53092/ha) and maximum gross return was calculated for FYM 5 tons/ha + vermicompost 2 tons/ha + PSB and minimum for control (Rs/ha 15120 and 31092 respectively) but maximum benefit/cost ratio (4.12) was found for FYM 5 tons/ha + PSB.