Nutrient Management in Palmarosa

The present investigation entitled "Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus levels on herbage an oil yield of Palmarosa" was carried out during 2007-08 at Nagarjun Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Garden, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. There were four levels of nitrogen viz., 0 kg (N0), 40 kg (N1), 60 kg (N2), 80 kg (N3) and three levels of phosphorus 0 kg (P0), 20 kg (P1), 40 kg (P2) ha-1, tried in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The experimental findings revealed that growth parameters like plant height and number of tillers was recorded significantly highest due to the application of 80 kg N ha-1 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1. The significantly highest nutrient content (N, P, K) and its uptake was recorded due to the application of 80 kg N ha-1 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1. The fresh herbage yield, oil yield and quality aspects of oil particularly optical rotation acid and ester value was maximum with application of 80 kg N ha-1 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1.