Comparative Assessment of Nutrient Management Technologies for Yield, Quality, Nutrient Use Efficiencies and Economics of Cauliflower-Tomato Production System Under Subtropical Conditions in NW Himalayas

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cauliflower and tomato are two most important cash crops of the North-Western part of Himalayas often grown in sequence and bring remunerative returns to the farmers of mid-hill region. The study was undertaken in order to evaluate the effect of application of various nutrient combinations through organic and inorganic inputs on the post harvest soil fertility status, crop quality parameters, nutrient use efficiencies, nutrient harvest indices, and economics of the cauliflower–tomato production system. The total of 11 treatment combinations, comprising sole organics, graded doses of inorganics and substitution of inorganics with organic inputs were studied. The study concluded that the application of 75% NPK + 100% FYM + 25% recommended N through FYM and VC on 50:50 N-equivalence basis significantly improved most of the quality and yield parameters in both the crops simultaneously giving highest N (197.8 kg ha−1) and K (167.4 kg ha−1) uptake, NUE (46.3%), AE (57.0 kg kg−1), P harvest index (50.7%) and net returns (5476 US$ ha−1) in cauliflower. This treatment was also accorded with significantly highest N (141.9 kg ha−1), P (30.6 kg ha−1), and K (185.0 kg ha−1) uptake, NUE (33.6%), AE (115.4 kg kg−1), and net returns (7858 US$ ha−1) in tomato. Hence, it is concluded that 75% NPK + 100% FYM + 25% recommended N through FYM and VC on 50:50 N-equivalence basis may be adopted as cost-effective nutrient module for farmers following cauliflower–tomato cropping sequence to achieve higher crop production on sustainable basis.