Effect of Organic and Biofertilizers on Seed Yield and Yield Related Attributes of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton

Abstract

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton is one of the potential oil seed crop of North Eastern Himalayas region which belongs to
family Lamiaceae. It is used since ancient times in herbal medicine, as a garnish and as a natural colorant in Asian countries. It is
also regarded as a common annual weed in some areas and is generally ignored by grazing livestock because of the toxic
compound Perilla ketone presented in the plant. Despite so much potential of the Perilla no concerted efforts have made for its
diversification and improvement in growth and yield globally as well as in our country. The present study has been done to
evaluate the effect of application of vermicompost and biofertilizers on seed yield and yield related attributes on Perilla plant in
different combination. The maximum growth and yield was reported in T8 treatment where biofertilizers have been applied in
consortium form followed by organic fertilizer applied in the form vermicompost (T3) as compare to single application of
microbial strains. This may be due to sustained release of nutrients to supply the required elements in a readily available form
for plant use. The biofertilizers exhibited beneficial effects on plant growth and development either through producing growth
hormones like IAA, kinetin, and gibberellins, synthesizing atmospheric nitrogen and its increased availability to greater protein
synthesis as well as increasing phosphorus availability to plant communities. Thus, it was concluded that the enhanced
expression of yield and its related attributes will have beneficial impact in production of nutraceutical as well as pharmaceutical
products of commercial importance.