Economics of chemical and non-chemical approaches for induction of early flowering in mango cv. Alphonso

Abstract

Mango cv. Alphonso is established on more than 90 per cent of area in Konkan region of Maharashtra. Early flowering is for early harvest which assures premium rate in market. In recent years climatic aberrations such as delayed rains especially during initiation of flowering badly affected the performance of Alphonso. The delayed flowering further delay fruit development and harvesting. The late harvested fruits often trapped in early rains and fetches low market price. An attempt was made to estimate benefit ratio and net returns of various non-chemical approaches for mango cv. Alphonso in relation to early induction of flowering which lead to early harvesting to earn lucrative market price. The experiment entitled “Economics of chemical and non-chemical approaches for induction of early flowering in mango cv. Alphonso” which was conducted at college of Horticulture, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli during the year 2018-19 and 2019-20. Experiment was laid out in randomized block design with seven treatments viz., T1- removal of new shoots, T2- removal of old shoots below new, T3- foliar spray of paclobutrazol @ 500 ppm, T4- foliar spray of paclobutrazol @ 1000 ppm, T5- foliar spray of ortho-phosphoric acid @ 0.5 %, T6- foliar spray of ortho-phosphoric acid @ 1 % and T7- control which were replicated at thrice. From the pooled analysis, early induction of flowering was rapid in T1(35.83 days) and had maximum yield (6.19 t/ha), higher gross return (Rs.309657), maximum net profit (Rs.217781.70) and highest B:C ratio (3.37) which was followed by T2 (3.34), T3 (2.99) and T4 (2.75). The minimum yield (2.90 t/ha), gross return (Rs. 124860), minimum net profit (Rs. 65509.20)with minimum B:C ratio were found in control.