Effect of sp acing and nitrogen levels on growth, yield and quality of ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L. Sprague)

An experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2008-09 at Farm, College of Horticulture, Mandsaur to study the effect of spacing and nitrogen on the productivity and quality of ajowan. The experiment was consisting of 3 spacing (45 x 10 cm, 45 x 20 cm and 45 x 30 cm ) and 4 levels of nitrogen (0, 20, 40 and 60 Kg N ha -1 ). Wider 45 x 30 cm spacing significantly increased the number of primary and secondary branches per plant at harvest, fresh weight per plant (g), dry weight per plant, days to 50% flowering, number of umbels per plant, number of umbellets per umbel, yield per plant (g) chlorophyll content of leaves (mg g -1 ), carotenoids content of leaves (mg g -1 ) and essential oil of seed (ml 100 g -1 ) expect plant height (cm), seed yield (q ha -1 ), straw yield (q ha -1 ) and biological yield (q ha -1 ), these attributes are maximum in 45 x 10 cm spacing. Whereas non significant effect was observed on test weight (g) and harvest index (%). Among various levels of nitrogen tried 60 kg ha -1 exhibit growth, yield and quality attributes. The maximum benefit: cost ratio (6.26:1) was found with “45 x 30 cm + 60 Kg N ha -1 ” treatment combination.