CRITICAL DOSE OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS ENHANCED GROWTH, YIELD AND ALKALOID CONTENT IN WITHANIA SOMNIFERA L.

The optimum dose of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) for Withania somnifera was determined by utilizing graded levels of 0, 30, 45 and 60 kg ha(-1) N and 0, 13, 26 and 40 kg ha(-1) P in two separate simple randomized pot experiments. Soil-application of 45 kg N ha(-1) and 26 kg P ha(-1) proved the best dose for increasing shoot and root length, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, total chlorophyll and leaf-N, P, and potassium (K) content, nitrate reductase, and carbonic anhydrase activity, total alkaloid content, seed-yield per plant, root-yield per plant and berries per plant. While 30 kg N ha(-1) proved best for root length, fresh and dry weights, as well as root-yield per plant. However, the effect of N and P fertilizers on carotenoid content, seeds per berry and 100-seed weight were insipid. Leaf-P remained unaffected by nitrogen application.