Assessment of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers for Growth, Yield and Essential Oil Quality of Industrially Important Plant Patchouli (<i>Pogostemon cablin</i>) (Blanco) Benth.

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the right proportion of organic and inorganic fertilizers for growth, oil yield and nutrient uptake pattern of patchouli. The results indicated that significantly higher oil yield was recorded in 75 % VC+25 % NPK (256 %) followed by100 % NPK (249 %) as compared to control. An increase of 6 % in essential oil content was achieved in treatment with 75 % VC+25 % NPK and 25 % VC+75 % NPK but the effect was non-significant. Also, the quality of essential oil, which is basically measured by patchouli alcohol, was not affected by any treatments. Enhancement in vermicompost doses significantly improved the bulk density (0.61- 13.94 %), total organic carbon (3.3-34.4 %) and soil microbial biomass (3-149 %). Availability of N, P and K was significantly higher in 75 % VC+25 % NPK (20 %, 103 % and 64 %, respectively) over control. Maximum nutrient (N, P and K) uptake was found in treatment with 100 % NPK (78 %, 67 % and 54 %, respectively) followed by 75 % VC+25 % NPK (76 %, 63 % and 51 %, respectively). The present study clearly indicated that 75 % chemical fertilizer could be saved by integrating 75 % vermicompost with 25 % chemical fertilizer resulted similar oil yield and improved soil health.