Effect of Sowing Time,Planting Geometry and Topping on Seed Yield of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) in East and South Eastern Coastal Plain Zone of Odisha
Abstract
To optimize sowing time, spacing and topping schedule for quality mesta seed production, an experiment with three dates of sowing [21st May (D ), 5th June (D ) and 21st June (D )], three spacing treatments [30 x 10 cm (S ), 45 x 10 cm 1 2 3 1 (S ) and 60 x 10 cm (S )] and two topping schedules [30 DAS (T ) and 45 DAS (T )] were laid out in split-split-plot 2 3 1 2 arrangements with three replications. Different yield attributing characters and seed yield of roselle was significantly influenced by date of sowing and spacing arrangements.
It was observed that sowing dates influenced different growth parameters as well as yield significantly. D sown crop 2 recorded maximum seed yield (6.4q ha-1) and statistically at par with D3 (6.17q ha-1).Similarly spacing arrangements also had a significant impact seed yield of roselle, with highest seed yield of 6.4q ha-1 obtained under 45×10 cm spacing followed by 60×10 cm spacing (6.28q ha-1).Topping done at 45 DAS resulted in 5.3% higher yield than that of 30 DAS. Yield attributing characters were not significantly influenced by topping schedules. Maximum net return of above Rs 27,000/ha was obtained, when the crop was sown on 5th June, with 45cmX10cm spacing and topping scheduled on 45 DAS with a B:C ratio of 1.76.Hence, it can be suggested that, sowing of mesta (roselle) during 1st week of June to third week of June with 45 x 10 cm and topping at 45 DAS should be recommended to harvest maximum quantity seeds in east and southeastern coastal plain zone of Odisha.
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Introduction
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), a herbaceous, annual lignocellulosic bast fibre crop is successfully grown as a commercial crop in coastal regions of Odisha. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)is a plant that has medicinal properties backed by scientific studies; however, it is also used to dye food, soft drinks, syrups, among other products (Gardezi et al, 2020). It finds its place next to jute in importance. Although it’stougher and coarser than jute fibre, however, equals in quality to the medium grades of jute (Berger, 1969). It is the nearest ally of jute and plays an effective role in supplementing the short supply of jute industry. Mesta fibre is blended with jute fibre and used for making of cordage, rope, twines, hessian, sacking and geotextile etc [Da-CostaRocha et al., 2014]. The fibre content and other chemical properties make it a commercial crop next to jute and cotton [Kumar et al,2020]. Apart from fibre production, diversification of roselle for paper pulp production finds its importance with the growing domestic and global demand for paper pulp. Apart from fibre and pulp,its seeds also contain 18-20% oil which can be directly used in soap and other industries. Hence, seed production in this crop, during recent years is also gaining popularity. Besides, there is also an imbalance between total seed requirement for fibre production and total available seed, reflecting a steep increase in price of seeds imported from other states. Literatures are available regarding optimization of agro-techniques for maximizing the fibre production in roselle. However, reports related to improved method including suitable time of sowing with specific planting geometry, for increasing the seed production in roselle is very meager. Reports are also available on importance of topping practice in increasing the yield levels indifferent crops (Singh et al., 2013). Besides, significance of weeding frequency and fertilizer levels on dry seed weight, fresh and dry weight of calyx yield of roselle plants were also studied (Bake,2015). Keeping all these factors in consideration, a two year field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2018 and 2019 with the objective to study and assess the optimum date of sowing, planting geometry and topping schedule for higher seed production in roselle (H.sabdariffa L).
Conclusion
Based on the present study, it can be concluded that sowing of mesta (roselle) crop during first week of June with 45 x 10 cm spacing and scheduling one topping at 45DAS can be recommended to increase the seed production of mesta in eastern and southeastern coastal plain zone of Odisha.
