Impact of planting dates and stage of harvesting on growth and root yield of ashwagandha (Withania sominifera Dunal.)

Studies on planting dates and stage of harvesting in ashwagandha were conducted at the Agricultural College Farm, Raichur on medium deep black soil during kharif season of 2007-08 to know the optimum date of planting and stage of harvesting. The results showed that planting on II Fortnight (F. N.) of July recorded the highest plant height (29.97 cm), number of leaves (33.76), leaf area (30.64 dm2/plant) and leaf area index (15.12), and were on par with I F. N. of August. Planting on II F. N. of July recorded the highest dry matter production (37.58 g/plant) and its distribution in leaves (8.21 g/ plant), stem (11.60 g/plant) and reproductive parts (16.46 g/plant). Among stages of harvesting, the crop harvested at 100% flowering stage recorded the highest number of leaves (30.85), leaf area (30.08 dm2/plant), leaf area index (13.64), dry matter accumulation in leaves (9.51 g/plant) and also these were on par with 50% flowering stage. However, the crop harvested at maturity stage recorded significantly higher plant height (31.64 cm), dry matter production (37.33 g/plant) and its distribution in stem (12.52 g/plant) and reproductive parts (20.48 g/plant) and also these were on par with berry ripening stage. Planting on II F. N. of July produced maximum fresh (1737 kg/ha) and dry (819 kg/ha) root yield of ashwagandha closely followed by I F. N. of August planting (1706 and 810 kg/ha). Among different stages of harvesting, maximum fresh (1714 kg/ha) and dry root yield (873 kg/ha) was observed when the crop was harvested at maturity stage which was on par with berry ripening stage (1695 and 823 kg/ha, respectively).