Growth and Yield of Organically Grown Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) under a Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) Based Agroforestry System

An experiment was conducted during 2025-2026 at the Instructional-cum-Research Farm of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, India, to examine organic-input treatments for ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) grown beneath established Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) trees. Eight treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. Plant growth, root and seed production, selected soil properties, tree characteristics, and dry root based economic returns were evaluated. The largest numerical dry-root yield occurred with T7 (farmyard manure 50% + vermicompost 25% + Jeevamrit 25%; 4.03 q ha⁻¹), followed by T6 (vermicompost 50% + Bijamrit 50%; 3.88 q ha⁻¹) and T4 (farmyard manure 50% + Bijamrit 50%; 3.53 q ha⁻¹). These three yields were statistically indistinguishable under the reported critical difference of 0.70 q ha⁻¹. T7 provided the largest calculated gross return (₹90,675 ha⁻¹), net return (₹52,675 ha⁻¹), and gross return to cost ratio (2.39), based on a dry root selling price of ₹225 kg⁻¹. Post harvest soil organic carbon was numerically highest under T7 (0.73%), although its baseline value was also the highest. Descriptive tree measurements indicated an increase in mean height from 6.30 to 6.47 m during the study interval. The findings identify T7 as a promising numerical performer among the treatments tested but do not establish its superiority over T6 or T4 for dry root yield. Interpretation is restricted by the single season design, baseline soil heterogeneity, and incomplete documentation of some input rates and measurements.