Tree Intercrop Interference Studies of Ashwagandha (Withania somanifera L. Dunal) Varieties with Mandarin and Kinnow Based Agroforestry Systems in South-Eastern Region of Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Ashwagandha or Indian Ginseng (Withania somnifera) is a very high-demanded medicinal plant of India which is used in Indian traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. Recently, Ashwagandha is found a novel alternative in the field of oncology due the presence of “Withanolide A” and “Withaferin A” alkaloids which have cancer-killing properties, however, it has multifarious uses. In India, there is huge gap between demand (7000 tonnes annual) and supply (1500 tonnes annual) of Ashwagandha which leads to encourage farmers for commercial cultivation. In addition, there are so many Mandarin and Kinnow orchards has been established in the South-Eastern region of Rajasthan and Ashwagandha cultivation in monoculture. Hence, we tried to find out the best suitable Ashwagandha variety under two agroforestry systems for its practical and economical feasibility. This experiment on tree intercrop interference study was conducted at Instructional Farm, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar under Agriculture University, Kota, Rajasthan using four improved varieties of Ashwagandha i.e., JA-20, JA-134, RVA-100 and AA-1 (Factor A) and Mandarin and Kinnow based agroforestry systems and sole Ashwagandha cropping system (Factor B) in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) to know the best tree crop interaction or combination for growth, yield, and quality traits along with economic feasibility. The JA-20 variety was performed better than other three varieties of Ashwagandha for shoot morphological traits, however, JA-134 variety found better than JA-20 variety for root traits as well as yield traits. In case of quality parameters of Ashwagandha, the highest Withanolides content was observed in RVA-100 variety followed by JA-134 variety because of genetic constituent. In case of cropping systems, the Mandarin based agroforestry system proved superior to the Kinnow based agroforestry system for Ashwagandha production. The highest benefit cost (B:C) ratio (5.87) recorded in JA-134 variety of ashwagandha grown under Mandarin based agroforestry system, however it was lowest in RVA-100 variety of ashwagandha grown sole cropping system. The B:C ratio of four varieties ranged from 5.71 to 5.87 under Mandarin based agroforestry system, from 4.00 to 4.11 under Kinnow based agroforestry system and from 2.31 to 2.60 of sole ashwagandha cropping system. JA-134 variety of Ashwagandha is recommended to farmers of South-Eastern region of Rajasthan to grow in Mandarin based agroforestry system. This Agroforestry System will provide annually 5.87-fold economic benefits and around Rupees 5 lacs net return from one hectare land.