Impact of Neem Leaves and Stem Derived Smoke Water Treatment on Growth, Yield and Seedling Parameters of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) Genotype IC 329195

Abstract

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum), a nutrient-rich pseudocereal, is valued for its high protein content, essential amino acids, and adaptability to harsh environments, making it a vital crop for sustainable agriculture. However, enhancing its growth and yield under challenging conditions remains a focus of agricultural research. This study investigates the impact of neem leaves and stem-derived smoke water treatment on the growth, yield, and seedling traits of buckwheat genotype IC-329195 during the 2023 growing season at Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology, and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and Randomized Block Design (RBD) were employed for laboratory and field experiments, respectively. The seeds were soaked for 18 hours in various concentrations of smoke water (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, and 10%) before sowing. Significant enhancements were observed in key growth parameters, including field emergence percentage, plant height, and number of branches, with the highest values recorded in the 1% concentration treatment. However, as the smoke water concentration increased beyond 1%, there was a progressive decline in these parameters. The treatment also resulted in earlier flowering and improved yield attributes, such as seed yield per plant, which reached 35.47 g in the 1% concentration compared to 28.17 g in the untreated control. Seedling parameters, including germination percentage, shoot and root length, fresh and dry weight, and seed vigour indices, showed remarkable improvement, especially at 1% concentration. The findings highlight the efficacy of neem-derived smoke water as an organic treatment to enhance the growth and yield of buckwheat, supporting its application in sustainable agricultural practices to improve crop performance in challenging environments.