Standardization of organic cultivation practices on economics in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) var. Pusa Aushadhi

Introduction

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is diploid in nature (2n=22) and belongs to family Cucurbitaceae. It grows best in well-drained loamy soil with a pH of 6.5-7.0. Although the plant is adaptable to a wide range of climates, it produces best in hot climates (Binder et al., 1989) [5] . Annual production of bitter Gourd in India, cultivated over 114,771 ha and yields about 2,448 kgs / ha. In Telangana, bitter gourd crop occupies 960 ha and 22,660 MT in production (Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare) [13] . Momordicin, Momordicinin, and Momordicilin are three pentacyclic triterpenes, accumulate over time and cause the fruit to become bitter; the bitterness then dissipates as the fruit ripens [ (Begum et al., 1997) [2] ; (Cantwell et al., 1996)] [6] . Fruits have a high vitamin C content (88 mg/100g). It has antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, antihepatotoxic, antiulcerogenic, and blood sugar lowering properties (Behera et al., 2011) [3] . It also has a lot of medicinal properties like germicidal effect, laxative, curing blood diseases, rheumatism, diabetes, asthma, AIDS etc. Bitter gourd has hypoglycemia (blood sugar reducing) characteristics, hence used as an anti-diabetic and hypoglycemic agent (Palaniswamy et al., 2011) [14] . It possesses anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, anti-leukemia, anti-tumor, analgesic, abortifacient, immune suppressive, blood-cleansing, blood sugar-lowering, hormonebalancing properties that combat free radicals, kill cancer cells, kill leukemia cells, and prevent tumors (Taylor, 2005) [18] . The utilization of pricey commercial fertilizers, which are tremendously expensive for small and marginal farmers made it possible to substitute a combination of organic manures and bio-fertilizers in place of chemical fertilizers which increase soil fertility, crop productivity and yielding high-quality fruits. Organic farming involves the use of organic manures and naturally occurring substances such as biofertilizers, biopesticides, botanicals, and integrated pest management. To maintain environmental quality and safety. Organically grown vegetables are nutritious and valuable, with lower post-harvest losses. Biofertilizers are associations that supplement plant food. Biological nitrogen fixation, solubilization of insoluble phosphate, or synthesis of hormones, vitamins, and other plant growth factors are some of the ways that carrier-based microorganisms found in biofertilizers serve to enhance productivity (Bhattacharyya et al., 2000) [4] . Farmyard manure enhances soil permeability to air and water while continuing to increase nutrient uptake, improves soil moisture holding capacity, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and moderates soil pH. They also rise soil bulk density and promote microorganism activity (Subedi, 1998) [17] . Vermicompost has been found to have high potential as a soil amendment. It has been discovered to be an ideal organic nutrient source because it is high in macro and micro-nutrients, which help to increase yields (Hidalgo et al., 1999) [9] . Poultry manure is the best and richest because liquid and solid excreta are expelled simultaneously, preventing urine loss. It contains growth-promoting substances that promote plant growth and yield of crop (Samman et al., 2008) [16] . It improves soil structure, nutrient retention, aeration, soil moisture holding capacity, water infiltration, and P availability to plants (Garg and Bahl, 2008) [8] . Neem cake boosts soil aeration, water holding capacity, soil texture, and organic matter content for better crop development and increase in dry matter. Arka Microbial Consortium is a carrier-based product that contains N-fixing, P-and Zn-solubilizing, and Plant Growth Promoting Microbes in a single formulation. The novelty of this technology is that farmers need not apply Nitrogen fixing, Phosphorous solubilizing and growth promoting bacterial inoculants separately. It is easily applied through seed, soil, water, and nursery media such as coco-peat (Aswathi et al., 2020) [1] . Mycorrhiza has a symbiotic relationship with plant roots and fungal mycelia which facilitates nutrient uptake, particularly phosphorus, zinc and sulphur and production of growth hormones such as gibberellic acid, indole acetic acid, dihydrozeatin which accelerates plant growth (Ikiz et al., 2009) [10] and crop yield (Dasgan et al., 2008) [7] .

Materials and Methods

The present investigation was carried out during rabi season in the year 2021-2022 at P.G research farm, College of Horticulture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University. The experimental site is situated at a latitude of 17⁰.32' North, longitude of 78⁰.40' East and altitude of 542.3 m above mean sea level.

The plots were demarcated into three (3) replications, each replication with twenty (20) treatments and experimental design followed is Randomized Block Design (RBD). The experimental field had sixty (60) plots. The protrays were selected, cleaned and filled with cocopeat: perlite: vermiculite in the ratio of 3:1:1 suitable for rooting media. The seeds were soaked for overnight and imbibed seeds were sown and were kept in shade net for germination purpose. The seedlings at two leaf stage planted into already prepared plots. The biofertilizers viz., Arka Microbial Consortium (AMC) and Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) were added (12.5 kg/ha and 10 kg/ha) respectively to all organic manures for multiplication purpose. Biofertilizers enriched organic manures viz., well decomposed farm yard manure (25t/ha and 30t/ha), vermicompost (10t/ha and 12 t/ha), poultry manure (6 t/ha and 8 t/ha) and neem cake (1 t/ha and 2 t/ha) were applied to the respective pits 15 days before transplanting of seedlings and were thoroughly mixed with soil. The recommended doses of Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium @ 60:120:30 kg/ha were applied to the respective pits in the form of Urea, Single Super Phosphate and Muriate of Potash respectively. Half dose of urea and the entire dose of Single Super Phosphate and Muriate of Potash were applied at the time of transplanting as a basal application and the remaining half dose of Urea was divided into two split doses and were applied at 30 and 60 days after transplanting of seedlings. All other cultural and plant protection measures were done as per the recommended package of practices for the healthy crop. The data collected were analyzed statistically by following the analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique (Panse and Sukhatme 1985) [15] . Statistical significance was tested with 'F' value at 5 per cent level of significance and whenever the F value was found significant, Critical difference was worked out at five per cent level of significance.

Results and Discussion

Economics

The data pertaining to economics as influenced by different treatment combinations of RDF and organic manures along with bio fertilizers are presented in the Table 1. Benefit cost ratio decides about the economic feasibility of the treatment whether to be recommended or not. Because, unless and until a technique is beneficial, a farmer will not adopt. It is also a significant and crucial aspect in determining the optimum levels of input to be employed to maximize crop yield and returns from the crop. The cost of cultivation and net returns and gross returns analysis for each treatment (B:C ratio). Among the treatments, T 11: Poultry manure (8 t/ha) + AMC (12.5 kg/ha) recorded significantly maximum gross returns per hectare (Rs. 4,05,750), maximum net returns per hectare (Rs. 2,99,012.5) with best benefit cost ratio (2.8:1) and T 20: Absolute control recorded significantly minimum gross returns per hectare (Rs. 97800), minimum net returns per hectare (Rs. 16812.5) with lowest benefit cost ratio (0.2:1). It is evident from the data that, maximum gross returns were recorded in T 11: Poultry manure (8 t/ha) + AMC (12.5 kg/ha) which might be due to fetching price of organic bitter gourds in the market as compared to other treatments. These results are in accordance with the reports of Meerabai et al. (2007) [12] in bitter gourd; Lodhi et al. (2017) [11] in broccoli.

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgmentsAt the very outset, I submit the commodious and indefinite thanks to COH, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad for giving me a platform to conduct research work and to ICAR for giving me timely scholarship.

References

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