Herbage yield and bioactive principle of senna as influenced by micronutrient application in soil

Abstract

Aim: The study was conducted to evaluate the response of micronutrient application on herbage yield and bio active principle of senna for better quality, and thus fetch higher economic return in domestic and internationalmarket. Methodology: A pot culture experiment was conducted during rainy season (July to September) to investigate the effects of micronutrient cations such as Zn, Cu, Fe and manganese (Mn) applications on herbage yield and sennoside content in senna (Cassia angustifolia). Different doses of micronutrient cations were fixed based on the initial availability of these micronutrients in soil. Different yield attributes like the number of flowers and pods and leaves and pods weight per plant was recorded, while sennoside and micronutrient cations content in leaves and pods samples were analysed. Results: The study revealed that a number of flower and pod as well as total fresh and dry herbage yield (leaf + pod) of senna were improved significantly higher under the micronutrient treatments. Application of Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn recorded higher fresh herbage yield up to 207.4, 202.2, 211.3 and 190.4 g plant-1 respectively over the control (173.8 g plant-1). Total sennoside yield recorded significantly higher 1.93 and 1.93 g plant-1 under Zn and Fe application, respectively, as compared to control (1.26 g plant-1). Micronutrient content (Zn and Fe) in senna leaf and pod significantly increased, while the available micronutrient status in the soil after the harvesting of the crop also improved. Interpretation: The present study revealed that soil application of micronutrient responded significantly in improving yield and bioactive principle of senna, while increased the micronutrient content in leaf and pod of senna and available micronutrient status in the soil.