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The effect of application of nitrogen fertilizer on the growth of opium poppy in north central India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

R. L. Yadav
Affiliation:
Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow-16, U.P., India
R. Mohan
Affiliation:
Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow-16, U.P., India
R. Singh
Affiliation:
Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow-16, U.P., India
R. K. Verma
Affiliation:
Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow-16, U.P., India

Summary

In a 2-year field study conducted at Lucknow (26·5° N, 80·5° E and 120 m altitude), plant height, leaf area index, dry-matter accumulation and N uptake of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) followed a sigmoid path. After attaining a peak of accumulation at 120 days, dry matter declined in plots given N fertilizer but remained static in the control. N application (50, 100, 150 and 200 kg/ha) increased the opium, seed and morphine yields compared with the control. Morphine concentration (%) in the opium, however, increased up to 100 kg N/ha and decreased when N doses exceeded that level. Divided application of N, i.e. half at sowing and remainder at the stem elongation stage, proved beneficial for opium, seed and morphine yields.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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