Economics of Yield and Production of Alkaloid of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

The yield parameters and cost economics of Withania somnifera were studied using Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) treatments. Withania somnifera is cultivated in around 10,780 ha with a production of 8429 tones in India. The annual demand of this herb increased from 7028 tones (2001-2002) to 9127 tones (2004-2005). The field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Jabalpur during Kharif season of 2008-2009 (1 year) and 2009-2010 (2 year), whereas the laboratory work was carried out in Quality Laboratory, College of Agriculture, Jabalpur. The soil of experimental field was sandy loam in texture with pH 7.5, EC 0.18 dsm having good drainage. Soil analysis revealed that available nitrogen was low (202.0 kg·ha) whereas available phosphorus (16.25 kg·ha) and potassium (236.0 kg·ha) were in the medium range. The present paper shows how to determine the economics of varying INM treatments. Cultivation of W. somnifera in India is gaining popularity among farmers; however, due to poor soil fertility, and costly chemical fertilizers and pesticides its production is not economical or profitable.