Effect of mixed-cropping and water-stress on macro-nutrients and biochemical constituents of rhizomatous medicinal plants in Central Himalaya, India

Plants in the alpine zone mainly depend on the reserved food materials stored in their rhizomes for the next growing season. We investigated the effect of mixed cropping (Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Pinto) with four rhizomatous medicinal plants, i.e., Angelica glauca, Arnebia benthamii, Rheum emodi and Pleurospermum angelicoides as well as three levels of water stress treatment under two conditions (shade net and open field) on macronutrients (NPK) and biochemicals (carbohydrates and protein). The experiment was conducted by completely randomized design (CDR). The data were analyzed with ANOVA as well as CDR. The experimental results show that in all the species shade conditions with sever water stress (SSWS) increased the level of macronutrients (NPK). However, (N) concentration was highest under shade with mixed cropping (SMIX). Under SMIX, carbohydrate content was highest than open field control conditions (CONT). This investigation results demonstrate that mixed cropping of medicinal plants with Phaseolus vulgaris could be a good livelihood option in the mountainous regions of Indian Central Himalaya. And the water-stress conditions along with mixed cropping could improve the biochemical constituents in the rhizome of these species.