International Journal of Plant & Soil Science

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.