Integrated Nutrient Management for Enhanced Yield and Profitability in African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda
Devanshu Shukla
Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut 250 110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Shivani Chahar *
Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut 250 110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Shikha Rana
Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
Abhay Vedwan
Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut 250 110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Rohan Tomar
Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut 250 110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Mahima Sharma
Department of Agriculture, Keral Verma Subharti College of Science, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, India.
Satvaan Singh
Department of Agriculture, Keral Verma Subharti College of Science, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, India.
Krishna Kaushik
Collage of Agriculture, Meerut Institute of Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Contemporary marigold cultivation increasingly focuses on optimising nutrient management practices to improve vegetative growth, flowering characteristics, and overall yield. The application of inorganic fertilisers, particularly nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), plays a pivotal role in crop growth and flower production, owing to the high availability of these nutrients for plant uptake and utilisation. The present study was conducted during 2021–22 at HRC, SVPUAT, Modipuram, Meerut to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, flowering, yield and economics of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with twelve treatments comprising different combinations of RDF, FYM, vermicompost and foliar application of ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄ @ 0.5%. Results revealed significant variation among treatments. Treatment T6 (75% RDF + FYM + vermicompost + ZnSO₄ + FeSO₄) recorded the highest flower yield (20.10 t ha⁻¹), gross return (Rs. 603000 ha⁻¹), net return (Rs. 495877.79 ha⁻¹) and benefit–cost ratio (5.62). Integrated application of organic and inorganic nutrient sources enhanced nutrient availability, improved crop performance and increased economic returns. Control treatment recorded the lowest yield and profitability. The study clearly indicates that partial substitution of chemical fertilizers with organic manures along with micronutrient supplementation is an effective and sustainable approach. Therefore, application of 75% RDF combined with FYM, vermicompost and micronutrient sprays is recommended for higher productivity and profitability of marigold under subtropical conditions.
Keywords: Marigold, organic, inorganic, INM, Pusa Narangi Gainda