EFFECT OF PLANT DENSITY AND PHOSPHORUS ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF STEM AMARANTH (Amaranthus viridus)

Abstract

/\n experiment was conducted in the experimental field of Sher-e Bangla Agricultural University. Dhaka during the period from March 2007 to June 2007 to study the effect of different plant density and Phosphorus on growth and yield of stem amaranth. The experiment was laid out in the two factors Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Factor A: plant density (4 levels) i.e. 15 x 20 cm (S1), 20 x 20 cm (S2). 25 x 20 cm (S3), JO x 20 cm (Sa); Factor B: Levels of phosphorus (4 levels) i.e. 48 kg (25 x 20 cm) gave the highest yield (68.06 t/ha) at 60 DAS, while S1 (15 x 20 cm) gave the lowest yield (35.57 t/ha). All the levels of fertilizer, which was used in the experiment showed a regular increase in yield of stem amaranth start from 30 OAS to 60 OAS. At 60 O/\S. the highest (60.51 t/ha) yield was recorded from P4 (62.4 kg P205/ha) and the lowest (45.11 t/ha) was recorded from P1 (48 kg P205/ha). At 60 DAS. the highest (74.94 t/ha) yield was recorded from S3P3 (30 x 20 cm+ 57.6 kg P20s/ha), while S1P1 (15 x 20 cm+ 48 kg P205/ha) gave the lowest yield (31.35 t/ha). The highest benefit cost ratio (3.02) was obtained from the treatment combination of S3P4 and the lowest (0.84) was from S1 P1.