A study of the economics of different treatments on soybean

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is a vital oilseed crop with significant economic and nutritional value. However, optimizing its yield and profitability requires the implementation of effective agronomic practices. This study evaluates the economic feasibility of different soybean treatments by analyzing their impact on grain and straw yield, gross returns, cost of cultivation, net profit, and benefit-cost (B:C) ratio. Eight treatments were compared, including the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) alone and in combination with various bio-inoculants and micronutrients such as Rhizobium, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), ammonium molybdate, zinc sulfate, boron, iron, manganese, and farmyard manure (FYM). The results indicated that the highest net return (₹32,108) and B:C ratio (1:2.98) were obtained with the application of RDF + ammonium molybdate (1g/kg seed) + Rhizobium + PSB (T4), making it the most economically viable treatment. In contrast, the lowest net return (₹11,456) and B:C ratio (1:1.34) were observed in the manganese-supplemented treatment (T7), indicating lower cost-effectiveness. These findings highlight the importance of integrating bio-inoculants and micronutrients to enhance soybean productivity and profitability. The study provides valuable insights for farmers and policymakers in selecting cost-effective agronomic practices for sustainable soybean cultivation.