ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MACRO AND MICRO-NUTRIENTS MANAGEMENT ON OKRA PRODUCTION

Abstract

Economic impact of macro and micro-nutrients management on okra yield was studied for two consecutive years (2009 and 2010). Three okra varieties (Bemisal, Sabz pari and Reshum) were tested against various application rates of NPK (0-0-0, 25-25-25, 50-25-25, 75-37-37, 100-50-50, 125-62-62 and 150-75-75 kg ha-1), Zn and B (0-0, 10-1.5, 10-2.0, 15-1.5, 15-2.0, 20-1.5 and 20-2.0 kg ha-1) under field conditions. The highest net income (Rs.174923.30 ha-1) and subsequent benefit: cost ratio (1:1.70) were observed from the plots treated with NPK @ 125-62-62 kg ha-1, while increase in NPK rate i.e upto 150-75-75 kg ha-1 did not prove economical with net income of Rs. 152546.09 and benefit: cost ratio of 1:1.40. That was possibly due to the adverse effect of excessive amout of NPK on fruit yield as well as increase in cost of production. The economic analysis of Zn and B application indicated that 20-2 kg ha-1 of Zn and B was more effective to produce higher yield and give highest net income of Rs.131986 ha-1. Subsequent benefit cost ratio (1:1.48) was also large enough with 20-2.0 kg ha-1. Decreasing Zn and B levels to 20-2 kg ha-1 slightly reduced the net income (Rs. 130290) but improved the benefit cost ratio (1:1.50). The study suggests that the crop may be fertilized with Zn and B @ 20-1.5 kg ha-1 in addition to application of recommended NPK fertilizers. The comparative economics of okra varieties under NPK levels showed that Sabz pari proved to be more NPK responsive, resulting overall average net returns of Rs. 127563 ha-1 with higher benefit: cost ratio of 1:1.41 than Bemisal and Reshum. Sabz pari was also found to be more responsive to Zn and B application with net returns of Rs. 134814 ha-1 (BCR 1:1.62), as compared to other okra varieties.

Keywords

• Boron
• cost benefit ratio
• NPK
• okra yield
• Zn