Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on root yield and nutrient uptake pattern in Asparagus racemosus Willd. in a semi-arid tropical climate

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of organic (vermicompost) and inorganic fertilizers (NPK) on growth, root yield and nutrient uptake pattern in satavari in semi-arid tropical climate. Results revealed that combined application of vermicompost (5 t ha-1) + inorganic fertilizers NPK (50:25:25 kg ha-1) significantly increased the height of the plant, root yield and nutrient uptake and soil microbial load as compared to control. The root yield increased by 68.19% with which clearly indicated that 50% inorganic fertilizer can be supplemented with organic fertilizer without any yield loss of satavari. Similarly nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) contents of the plant except phosphorus (P) have also increased.