Effect of Biofertilizer Azolla on the Medicinal Plant Safed Musli

Abstract

Safed musli (<i>Chlorophytum tubrosum</i>)<i> </i>is an annual herb of Liliaceae family. Its stem is underground which bears leaves. Leaves make a cover around the aerial part of the stem. Lower part of the underground stem bears tuberous roots of brown colour, which become swollen due to deposition of food. A root of this plant are used for nervous disorder, debility and as a tonic and chewing of its roots gives relief in throat and oral diseases.Polysaccharides and galacto glucose are obtained from its fruits. The powder of its tuberous root is used to control fever. In the line of separate beds 0 (control), 5, 100 and 200 g of Azolla biofertilizer were mixed in the soil. In this <i>Chlorophytum tubrosum</i> was transplanted 30 cm apart. After 6 months when the roots colour became brown, tubers were detached and kept for chemical analysis. 10% more yield of dried roots was obtained with the treatment of 200 g Azolla when compared with control treatment. Shape of the tubers was also more flashy with the same treatment. Weight of the tuber with 200 g Azolla was found 5% more when compared with control. Therefore it is concluded that Azolla biofertilizer may be used for the better yield of Safed Musli.