EFFECT OF PLANT SPACING AND SOWING TIME ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF STEM AMARANTH (Amaranthus lividus R.)

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to study the effict of spacing and sowing time on the growth and yield of stem amaranth during March to June 2007 at Horticultural Farm. Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural Universit, Dhaka. Four levels of spacing (S 1 20cm x 15cm. S* 20cm x 20cm. S3 r20 cm x 25 cm and S4 = 20cm x 30cm) and three different sowing time ('l I =.\larch 26. T2 April U) and i ; April 25) were used as treatment in the study. the maximum yield (77.94 (lila) was obtained from the closest spacing (20cm x 15cm) and the minimum yield (56.33 1./11a) was recorded from the widest spacing (20cm x 30cm). however, the yield decreased significantly with the increased in plant spacing. (irovth and yield of stem amaranth were signiheantly influenced by sowing lime. April 10 sowing produced the highest yield (76.34 t/ha) of stem amaranth and March 26 had the lowest (55.28 I/ha) yield. Considering the combined effect of" sowing time and spacing. April 10 sowing time with the closest spacing (20cm x I 5cm) produced the highest yield (91.45 t/ha) and the minimum yield (47.15 tfha) found in March 26 sowing time with the widest spacing (20cm x 30cm). The highest net return ('1k. 96835/ha) was obtained from 'F1S, and the lowest net return ('1k. 13385/ha) was recorded from 'l' S. 'the highest henelit cost ratio (2.12) was recorded front treatment combination ol' T,S 1 and the lowest benefit cost ratio (1.16) was recorded from the treatment combination ofTIS4 Considering the above finding, the ion' April sowing with 20cm x 15cm spacing was the best in yield and yield contribUtinO characters of stem amaranth.