Effect of Sowing Time, Seed Rate and Harvesting Duration on Flowering and Fruiting of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Abstract

Ashwagandha is a significant medicinal plant that is a member of the Solanaceae family. Its qualities include aphrodisiac, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, adaptogenic, and rejuvenating. It is a kharif crop that is planted late, ashwagandha is harvested 150–170 days after planting. The experiment was conducted in 2009–10 in the Herbal Garden in Rajendra Nagar, Hyderabad. A completely randomized block design with a factorial concept was used to set up the experiment. The study included 18 treatments in total, with three replications, two sowing dates (August 15 and August 30), three seeds per hectare (10 kg/ha, 12 kg/ha, and 14 kg/ha), and three harvesting times (150 DAS, 180 DAS, and 210 DAS). Early flowering (72.22 days) and 50 per cent flowering (92.15 days) were recorded in the August 15th sown crop when compared to the August 30th crop. Among the seed rates, S2 (12kg/ha) recorded early flowering (73.17 days) and 50 per cent flowering (93.06days).   Early fruit set (105.48 days) and 50 per cent fruit set (118.29 days) were recorded in the August 15th sown crop when compared to the August 30th crop. Among the seed rates, S3 (14 kg/ha) recorded early fruit set (106.67 days) and 50 per cent fruit set (119.56 days). The present study clearly demonstrated that sowing time plays a dominant role in regulating the flowering and fruiting behaviour of Ashwagandha. From the present investigation, sowing ashwagandha during mid-August with a seed rate of around 12 kg/ha can be recommended for achieving timely flowering and fruiting under the agro-climatic conditions of South India.