Comparative efficacy of biofertilizers, FYM and inorganic nitrogen on productivity and withanolides yield of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, commonly known as Ashwagandha, is a widely cultivated medicinal plant in Ayurveda, valued for its broad-spectrum therapeutic properties attributed to its bioactive constituents, particularly alkaloids and withanolides. A field experiment was carried out during the Rabi season of 2022-2023 at the Herbal Garden, Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P.). The trial was laid out in a Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with eight treatments and three replications, comprising: Control (T₁), PSB @ 5 kg ha⁻¹ (T₂), FYM @ 10,000 kg ha⁻¹ (T₃), PSB + FYM (T₄), Azotobacter + PSB + FYM (T₅), Urea @ 130 kg ha⁻¹ (T₆), Nano urea @ 2 L ha⁻¹ (T₇), and Azotobacter @ 5 kg ha⁻¹ (T₈). Among the treatments, Azotobacter + PSB + FYM (T₅) significantly enhanced root yield (943 kg ha⁻¹), fruit yield (1430 kg ha⁻¹), seed yield (853.33 kg ha⁻¹), and total biological yield (3783.33 kg ha⁻¹). The highest stem yield (1033 kg ha⁻¹) was observed with PSB + FYM (T₄). Biochemical analysis revealed that Withanolide A content in roots ranged from 0.0082% to 0.0223%, with T₅ showing the maximum Withanolide A content (0.0223%). Withanolide B content in roots ranged from 0.0001% to 0.0142% the highest Withanolide B content (0.0142%) were recorded with PSB @ 5 kg ha⁻¹ (T₂). The findings demonstrate that integrated application of biofertilizers (Azotobacter and PSB) along with organic variations i.e., (FYM) effectively improves biomass production and withanolide accumulation in Ashwagandha, suggesting a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers for enhanced medicinal quality and yield.