This paper examines the effect of ploughing depths (A — 60 cm,B — 45 cm and C — 30 cm) on the growth and yield of Heracleum candicans Wall (Apiaceae),a threatened medicinal herb of the Himalayan region. This less-e...This paper examines the effect of ploughing depths (A — 60 cm,B — 45 cm and C — 30 cm) on the growth and yield of Heracleum candicans Wall (Apiaceae),a threatened medicinal herb of the Himalayan region. This less-explored plant is being suggested as a potential crop for the mountain agriculture. The study was carried out in an orchard in Himachal Pradesh,India at 2500 m altitude,for two successive growth years. During the first year,all plants remained in juvenile state;in the second year,nearly 65 % plants produced flowers only under 60 cm ploughing depth. Among its morphological traits,plant height,collar diameter and aboveground fresh weight were found to be strongly correlated (P < 0.01) with the belowground biomass during the first year (r =0.968,0.925 and 0.973,respectively) and during the second year (r=0.945,0.928 and 0.775,respectively). Increase in the ploughing depth was significantly correlated (P<0.01) with all growth parameters,including the belowground dry weight,marketable portion of the produce. The belowground biomass (commercial yield;16.28 Qt/hec) at depth A was about 2.6 and 4.7 times higher than those recorded at depths B and C,respectively. The results clearly justify the importance of deep ploughing and this paper strongly recommends it for economically sustainable cropping.展开更多
文摘This paper examines the effect of ploughing depths (A — 60 cm,B — 45 cm and C — 30 cm) on the growth and yield of Heracleum candicans Wall (Apiaceae),a threatened medicinal herb of the Himalayan region. This less-explored plant is being suggested as a potential crop for the mountain agriculture. The study was carried out in an orchard in Himachal Pradesh,India at 2500 m altitude,for two successive growth years. During the first year,all plants remained in juvenile state;in the second year,nearly 65 % plants produced flowers only under 60 cm ploughing depth. Among its morphological traits,plant height,collar diameter and aboveground fresh weight were found to be strongly correlated (P < 0.01) with the belowground biomass during the first year (r =0.968,0.925 and 0.973,respectively) and during the second year (r=0.945,0.928 and 0.775,respectively). Increase in the ploughing depth was significantly correlated (P<0.01) with all growth parameters,including the belowground dry weight,marketable portion of the produce. The belowground biomass (commercial yield;16.28 Qt/hec) at depth A was about 2.6 and 4.7 times higher than those recorded at depths B and C,respectively. The results clearly justify the importance of deep ploughing and this paper strongly recommends it for economically sustainable cropping.
