Spacing, Fertilizer and PGPR on Yield and Nutrient Uptake in Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa) and Chemical Properties of Soil
Meghana, H. R. *
Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Horticulture, Bengaluru, 560065, University of Horticulture Sciences, Karnataka, India.
Maruthi Prasad, B. N.
Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Horticulture, Bengaluru, 560065, University of Horticulture Sciences, Karnataka, India.
Dhananjaya, B. N.
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Kolar-563103, University of Horticulture Sciences, Karnataka, India.
Shankarappa, T. H.
Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Horticulture, Bengaluru, 560065, University of Horticulture Sciences, Karnataka, India.
Harshaavardhan Redi Sirupa.
Namratha Hemp Company, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted to assess the influence of spacing, fertilizer levels and PGPR on yield and primary nutrients accumulation in different parts of industrial hemp and on chemical properties of soil. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design, spacing and fertilizers levels with or without PGPR were the factors. The results revealed, plants spaced at 15cm × 10cm registered significant yield of leaves, stems and roots (7.84, 9.80 and 4.20 t ha-1 respectively). The uptake of nitrogen and potassium (450.32 and 159.13 kg ha-1 respectively) was highest in this spacing, while, the phosphorous uptake (75.74 kg ha-1) was maximum in 10cm × 5cm spacing. Among nutrition, 125 percent RDF plus PGPR recorded a significant yield of stem and seed, also, this treatment resulted in maximum uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus (440.33 and 72.58 kg ha-1 respectively) by the plants. It can be inferred that spacing of 15cm × 10cm and application of 10 tonnes FYM with 250:125:250 kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1 (125% RDF) plus PGPR consortia (Azospirillum brasilense, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus megaterium @ 5kg each) was found to be optimum to produce higher yields.
Keywords: Hemp, spacing, nutrition, PGPR consortia, nutrient uptake