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Influence of Seed Rate and Method of Sowing on the Performance of Bilatidhonia (eryngium Foetidum L.)

S. N. MOZUMDER
Senior Scientific Officer (Horticulture)
Hill Agricultural Research Station (BARI), Ramgarh, Khagrachhari Hiill District

M. MONIRUZZAMAN
Senior Scientific Officer (Horticulture),
Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Raikhali, Chandraghona, Rangamati Hill District

S. M. M. RAHMAN
Senior Scientific Officer (Horticulture)
Horticulture Research Centre, BARI

P. C. SARKER
Senior Scientific Officer
Seed Technology Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur

S. M. FAISAL
Senior Scientific Officer (Horticulture)
Hill Agricultural Research Station (BARI), Ramgarh, Khagrachhari Hiill District

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A field experiment was conducted at ARS, Raikhali, Rangamati during October, 2003 to July 2005 to determine the optimum spacing and seed rate to maximize yield and profitability of Bilatidhonia (Eryngium foetidum L.). A factorial randomized complete block design was followed consisting four methods of sowing (D₁ = broadcast, D₂ = line sowing (10 cm), D₃ = line sowing (15 cm), and D₄ = line sowing (20 cm) and three levels of seed rate viz., S₁ = 20, S₂ = 30, and S₃ = 40 kg/ha. Broadcasting and closer spacing (10 cm) with 40 kg seeds/ha showed better performance in respect of yield, yield attributes and profitability. The maximum number of plants/rn2 (590), fresh yield (46.89 t/ha), gross return (Tk. 1031 thousand), gross margin (Tk. 858.1 thousand/ha) and benefit cost ratio (5.32) were obtained from broadcast method of sowing with 40 kg-seed/ha.

Keywords: Seed rate, method of sowing, Bilatidhonia

Location: ARS, Raikhali, Rangamati

Start Date: 01-10-2003

End Date: 31-07-2005

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity:

Objectives:

The present experiment was undertaken to determine the suitable seed rate and method of sowing for maximizing yield and profitability of Bilatidhonia.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Raikhali, Rangamati in two consecutive cropping seasons (Rabi+Kharif-l) during October, 2003 to July 2005. The experimental field belonged to AEZ 29 and the soil was Piedmont plain having medium loamy to moderately fine texture (sandy clay loam). The soils had pH 5.4 and 1.48% organic matter. The total N, available P and available K were 0.077%, 8.1 μg/g, and 0.17 meq/l00g soil. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized complete block design having four levels of method of sowing viz., D₁ = broadcasting, D₂ = 10 cm, D₃ = 15 cm, and D₄ = 20 cm line spacing and three levels of seed rate viz., S₁ = 20, S₂= 30, and S₃ = 40 kg seeds/ha. Seeds were sown on 15 December 2003 and 8 December 2004 for two consecutive years. Two adjacent beds measuring 3m × lm constituted a unit plot. The crop was fertilized with 150 kg N (in the form of urea), 75 kg P₂O₅ (in the form of TSP), 100 kg K₂0 (in the form of MoP) and 10 tons well decomposed cowdung per hectare (Islam et al., 2003). One-fourth of urea, one-half of MoP, and entire TSP and cowdung were applied during final land preparation. The rest of urea and MoP were applied in three equal installments at 30-day intervals started from 60 days after sowing. Line sowing required more number of labourers at the time of sowing but same labour was saved during intercultural operation. The seed rate was same in all sowing methods. As a result, all the sowing methods required similar cost of cultivation. All the intercultural operations, such as weeding, mulching and irrigation were done as and when required. In the first year experiment (2003-04), some plants were infected by leaf spot disease. Ridomil Gold and Rovral were sprayed two times at 10-day intervals but no visible improvement was observed. The leaf spot disease damaged a number of plants at later stage (after 3rd harvest) that caused less number of harvestable plants/m² and lowered yield in 2003-04. In 2004-05, the crop was disease free and no spray was required. A few number of flower stalks were produced and it was broken so that more leaves can be produced. The longest plants were harvested from the plot at every 20-day intervals when the leaves became succulent (from 1st week of May upto last week of June every year). Data on plant height, number of leaves/plant, length of leaf, width of leaf, length of tap root, and weight of single plant were taken from randomly selected 10 plants, while weight of plants/per plot and number of plants/m² were taken from one square meter area from each plot. Per hectare yield was calculated from the accumulated fresh yield of plants/m²^. The data were compiled properly and analyzed statistically by MSTAT program and mean comparison was done following the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (Zaman et al., 1987).

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 35(1) : 227-234, March 2010

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Interaction between seed rate and method of sowing showed significant variation in gross margin, net margin and BCR. The maximum gross return (Tk. 10,31.6 thousand/ha) and gross margin (Tk. 858.l thousand/ha) were obtained from the treatment combination D₁×S₃ which was statistically similar with D₂xS₃_. The lowest gross return (Tk. 655.3 thousand/ha) and margin (Tk. 481.8 thousand/ha) obtained from D₄×S₃ treatment combination. The highest BCR (5.95) was obtained from the treatment combination D₁×S₃, which was statistically similar with D₁×S₁, D₁×S₂_, D₂×S₁_, D₂×S₂, and D₂×S₃ treatment combinations. The lowest BCR (3.78) was found from the wider spacing with highest seed rate (D₄×S₃) which might be due to lower yield as well as higher seed cost that increased variable cost. In closer spacing or broadcast method of sowing with moderate seed rate provided higher yield that ensured maximum profit. From the investigation, it was revealed that broadcast method of sowing with 30 to 40 kg/ha seed rate (depending on the period of harvest, fertility, and type of soil) were suitable for Bilatidhonia cultivation, but closer spacing (10 cm) could be advocated for easy cultivation process.

Knowledge Management: Journal