Effect of plant population density on growth and yield of Artemisia (Artemisia annua L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at wondo genet Agriculture research center under irrigated condition to determine the effect of intra and inter-row spacing on growth and yield of Artemisia (Artemisia annua L.) during the two successive seasons of 2013 and 2014. Factorial combinations of four intra-rows (40, 60, 80, 100 cm) and four inter-row plant spacing's (60, 80, 100, 120 cm) were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Interaction effect of the two factors brought about significant variation on above ground biomass, leaf fresh weight, leaf dry weight and Essential oil yield. However, plant height, number of primary branch per plant and essential oil content were not influenced by the interaction effect. In this study, the maximum above ground biomass 72605 kg/ha, leaf fresh weight 9510 kg/ha, leaf dry weight 5392.7 kg/ha and Essential oil yield 23.39 kg/ha were attained due to spacing combination 40cm intra-row and 60cm inter-row spacing's. Therefore, it could be concluded that Artemisia annua could be planted at optimum spacing of 40 x 60 cm in Wondo genet area to attain maximum yield.