~ 112 ~ Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2023; 11(2): 112-115 ISSN (E): 2320-3862 ISSN (P): 2394-0530 https://www.plantsjournal.com JMPS 2023; 11(2): 112-115 © 2023 JMPS Received: 02-01-2023 Accepted: 08-02-2023 Parul Bhatt Kotiyal Scientist-E, Division of Forest Ecology and Climate Change, Forest Research Institute Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India Ruchita Tiwari Scientist-E, Division of Forest Ecology and Climate Change, Forest Research Institute Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India Corresponding Author: Parul Bhatt Kotiyal Scientist-E, Division of Forest Ecology and Climate Change, Forest Research Institute Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India Response of some important medicinal plants of Uttarakhand to different soil amendments Parul Bhatt Kotiyal and Ruchita Tiwari DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/plants.2023.v11.i2b.1546 Abstract In this study, the effect of various treatment combinations on the growth parameters of medicinal plants and and soil properties under medicinal plants was studied. The experiment was conducted at Forest Research Institute, Dehradun to study the growth parameters of the selected medicinal plant species viz, Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) Ocimum africanum (Lemon tulsi) Ocimum tenuiflorum (Kapoor tulsi) Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh) under different treatments using soil “soilization” technique. In this technique commercially available sand made productive and fertile by applying various treatment combination SAND + COMPOST, SAND + COMPOST + CMC SAND + COMPOST + CMC + NPK, CONTROL (Sand). With the results obtained, it was evident that the media with only sand was not sufficient for the optimum growth of the vegetation. The yields of three species i.e. Ashwagandha, Lemon Tulsi, Kapur Tulsi were much higher by using soil “soilization” technique which was used in three other treatment pots. Only Kalmegh species deferred by failing to grow in the sand and the NPK rich media. Out of the four treatments, the best results were obtained in the Sand+CMC+Compost media. Keywords: Medicinal plants, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) Introduction There are some 240,000 species of higher plants (medicinal and non-medicinal) and not all of those species will have the same mineral needs, at the same scale. Some will require a specific element in much higher concentration than others, and others will be able to tolerate a much higher concentration of an essential element that would, be toxic, to a different species. Medicinal and aromatic plants are use for healing various ailments in all the civilization around the world since time immemorial. Approximately 80% of the World population depends on medicinal plants for their health and healing Aliyu 2003 [1] . Societal motivations to use herbs are increasing due to concern about the side effects of synthetic drugs. Many botanicals and some dietary supplements are good sources of antioxidants and anti- inflammatory compounds Balasubramanian and Palaniappan 2001 [2] . Monitoring changes in soil physic-chemical properties with respect to field management strategies including soil management practices and plant species offers promise for better understanding and measurement of soil quality. Soil amendments and fertilizers are a wide array of materials could be added to topsoil to improve plant growth. It can be organic and inorganic. Inorganic fertilizer such as NPK is essential nutrients that must be supplied to the plants to increase growth, vigour, and yield and maintain the health of plants. It is also, suggested that there should be a complete or partial substitution of mineral fertilization (NPK) by using of organic and biofertilizers which are sure and economical for farmers (Dahmardeh, 2012) [4] . Boroomand and Grouh 2012 [7] reviewed that with adequate supply of N, P and K utilization by various spice crops are enhanced. Macro elements caused increase the number of traits such as plant height, leaf area, yield seed, and oil content. Some of traits of medicinal plants such as basil, turmeric, black pepper, cardamom, fennel, fenugreek, and Aloe vera with used potassium were changed. Methodology The study was carried in Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun. FRI is located between 77°52'12"E, and 30°20'40" N at an altitude of 640.08 amsl. It is spread over 450 hectares in the outer Himalayas in its backdrop, provides the habitat for the flora and fauna. FRI has humid subtropical to tropical climate with heavy precipitation during May to September and received annual rainfall approximately 1898 mm.