Effect of irrigation and FYM levels on yield, water use efficiency and oil content of European dill (Anethum graveolens)

Among the various agro-techniques required to improve production and quality of essential oil, judicious water management and good nutrient supply play an important role. Therefore, a two years field and laboratory experiment was conducted to study the effect of irrigation and FYM on yield, oil content, and water use efficiency of European dill (Anethum graveness L.) at GBPUA and T, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. For this, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design having three replications was carried out with treatments, viz irrigation scheduling at 4 CPE (cumulative pan evaporation) levels (50, 100, 150 and 200) with 6 cm of irrigation water and 3 FYM (farmyard manure) levels (0, 15 and 30 tonnes/ha). Various growth character, like no. of branches and dry matter accumulation as well as yield attributes with no. of fruit per umbell and 1000 seed weight were found to be significantly higher due to irrigation at 100 mm CPE and fertilized with 30 tonnes FYM/ha, this caused significant enhancement in the seed yield i e 1.32 and 1.43 t/ha during first and second year, respectively. Fresh seeds oil content and water use efficiency increased significantly with increase in irrigation and FYM levels and found to be highest with 200 mm CPE irrigation and 30 tonnes FYM/ha.