European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience

European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience


European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience
European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience
Vol. 1, Issue 3 (2013)

Influence of different levels of NPK on flowering, fruit yield and alkaloid content of Thuthuvalai (Solanum trilobatum L.)


TR Barathkumar

Thuthuvalai (Solanum trilobatum L.) is an important medicinal plant in Indian system of medicines. The fruits are having several alkaloids. These alkaloids have been identified and used in large scale by pharmaceutical industries for formulating new drugs against many diseases and illness of human beings. In order to exploit this medicinal herb for commercial cultivation, the present investigation was carried out to study the effect of different levels of NPK, on flowering fruit yield and alkaloid content of Thuthuvalai (Solanum trilobatum L.). The treatment consisted of three levels each of Nitrogen (N): 25, 50 and 75 kg ha-1 Phosphorus (P): 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1 and Potassium (K): 20, 40 and 60 kg ha.-1 The result revealed that the higher levels, N3, P3 and K3 (75: 60: 60 Kg ha-1) recorded maximum number of fruits per plant, fruit diameter and fresh and dry fruit yield. The P3 and K3 levels were on par with P2 and k2 levels for the most of the parameters and significantly higher than P1 and K1 levels. Among the interaction, the higher level N3 and P3 registered maximum growth and yield parameters at all the stages of observations. The chlorophyll content, total soluble protein and photosynthetic rate were maximum at N3 and P3 levels. The nitrate reductase activity, proline and alkaloid contents in the fruits were higher at N3, P3 and K3 levels and N3 P3 interaction.
Download  |  Pages : 80-83
How to cite this article:
TR Barathkumar. Influence of different levels of NPK on flowering, fruit yield and alkaloid content of Thuthuvalai (Solanum trilobatum L.). European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience, Volume 1, Issue 3, 2013, Pages 80-83
European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience