Influence of Different Nutrient Management Practices on Growth, Yield, Quality and Economics of Brinjal (Solanum melongena. L)

Abstract

The field experiment was carried out at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore in 2020 to evaluate the influence of different nutrient management practices on growth, yield and economics of brinjal (Solanum melongena. L). There were six treatments consisting of organic, inorganic and combined sources of nutrients evaluated in randomized block design with five replications. Among the treatments, the state recommended management practices (Farm yard manure (FYM) @ 25t ha-1 + Azophos @ 2kg ha-1 + Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF)) had showed better performances for plant height (139.6 cm), number of branches per plant (29.0), number of leaves per plant (127.6) number of fruits per plant (16.0) and yield per hectare (21.70 tonnes). The highest gross return (Rs. 251676 ha-1) and net return (Rs. 158332 ha-1) were obtained from 100% organic manures applied treatments. The highest benefit: cost ratio (2.84) was obtained from 50% N requirement through organic manures (50 % FYM + 50 % Vermicompost) + seedling treatment with Beejamrit + Ghanajeevamrit @ 250 kg ha-1, Jeevamrit @ 500 litres ha-1 time-1 twice a month with irrigation water applied treatments. Application of organic sources of nutrients also produced better quality fruits compared to only chemical or integrated nutrient sources. Though, the state recommended management practices (FYM @ 25t ha-1 + Azophos @ 2kg ha-1 + RDF) recorded higher productivity, the organic package consisting of 50% N requirement through organic manures (50 % FYM + 50 % vermicompost) + seedling treatment with Beejamrit + application of Ghanajeevamrit @ 250 kg ha-1, Jeevamrit @ 500 litres ha-1 time-1 twice a month with irrigation water was recommended for economically sustainable organic brinjal production.