RESPONSE OF CURRY LEAF (MURRAYA KOENIGII SPRENG) 'SUVASINI' FOR FOLIAR SPRAY OF VERMIWASH AND NUTRITIONAL TREATMENTS

Curry leaf (Murraya koenigii Spreng) is one of the under-exploited species of Indian origin and its aromatic spicy leaves are used for flavouring dishes and food stuffs. A field trial was conducted during 2006-07 at Kittur Rani Channamma College of Horticulture, Karnataka, India, to assess the response of curry leaf to foliar spray of vermiwash and nutritional treatments, with particular reference to leaf yield and quality. An experiment was laid out as split plot design replicated thrice on ‘Suvasini’ curry leaf planted in the year 2004. Main plot treatments included foliar spray of vermiwash at 50% and control (no foliar spray). Plants were spaced at 3.0×1.5 m and were trained as individual bush at a prescribed height of 1.2 m. Vermiwash obtained from earthworm bed is a foliar spray solution with many growth regulating substances and beneficial microbes. Significantly higher mean annual fresh leaf yield of 5.79 kg per plant was obtained by foliar spray of vermiwash at 50% dilution compared to 5.05 kg in control. Among nutritional treatments, the Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF) + Farm Yard Manure (FYM) with vermiwash foliar spray at 50% dilution, recorded higher annual fresh leaf yield (8.00 kg/plant) followed by FYM + RDF without foliar spray of vermiwash (6.95 kg/plant) and FYM along with vermiwash (6.60 kg/plant), compared to control (2.92 kg/plant). Foliar spray of vermiwash at monthly intervals also recorded slightly higher essential oil content in fresh leaves (0.44%), compared to control (0.42%).