Cost Economics of Different Fertigation Regimes on Yield and BCR of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Cultivars in Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka

Introduction

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) has been the most important and old spice throughout the globe, belonging to family Zingiberaceae and cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of India. It is valued for its culinary, medicinal and export potential. There is a need to maintain proper co-ordination among resources like soil, water, organic matter, biotic life and plant nutrient supply to maintain crop production at higher level. Further, efficient nutrient management plays a crucial role in enhancing productivity and profitability in ginger cultivation. Apart from nutrients, water is one more critical inputs of successful ginger production. However, shortage of water for irrigation is being increasingly felt due to pressures from depleting groundwater levels, rising alternative demands, water quality degradation and economics. Fertigation, the application of fertilizers through drip irrigation, has emerged as a promising technology for improving nutrient use efficiency and reducing input losses. Supply of nutrients through fertigation helps in reducing the soil application associated nutrient loss through leaching and evaporation and also facilitates precise application of fertilizers, as it delivers nutrients to the roots where it can be effectively utilized and results in greater uptake and nutrient use efficiency (Bachchhav, 2005) [2] . Several investigators reported that ginger is an exhaustive crop and requires heavy manuring (Sheikh et al., 2004) [13] . Till today farmers are practicing conventional method of nutrient application in ginger cultivation getting average yield coupled with poor quality of rhizomes. Shah and Zala (2006) [12] reported an input-output ratio of 1.97 in ginger cultivation in Gujarat. Shafiqul et al. observed a benefit cost ratio of 2.17 in ginger production systems.

Namami et al. (2020) [7] reported the large sized farms were the highly efficient as compared to medium and small farm sizes under the application of fertilizers through fertigation system to ginger in Assam. Similarly, Sadarunnissa et al. (2010) [10] demonstrated that fertigation improved yield and economic returns in turmeric. Several studies have evaluated the economics of Zingiberaceae crops. Although studies exist on economics of ginger production, limited information is available on comparative economic performance of varying fertigation levels combined with biofertilizers under eastern dry zone conditions of Karnataka. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to assess the cost economics of different fertigation regimes in two high-yielding ginger cultivars viz., Rio-de-Janeiro and Himachal.  Rio-de-Janeiro:

Materials and Methods

Experimental Site

The experiment was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra (GKVK), University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore during kharif 2021 at the eastern dry zone of Karnataka. The area has warm and humid climate. The soil of experimental site was red sandy loam with good drainage.

Experimental Design

Two independent experiments were conducted separately for two cultivars, Rio-de-Janeiro and Himachal. The layout was formulated independently using RCBD for these cultivars using 11 treatments each with three replications. Gross plot size of 10.00 x 2.00 m in each treatment with net plot zise of 10.00 x 1.00 m was followed. Drip irrigation was installed with main, sub-main and lateral lines.

Treatments

Cultural Practices

The soil was well prepared to fine tilth. Seed rhizomes (15-20 g) were treated with Mancozeb before planting at 45 × 30 cm spacing. Irrigation was provided through drip based on soil moisture. Plant protection measures were undertaken against soft rot and leaf spot diseases using recommended fungicides.

Data collection and Economic Analysis

Observations were recorded for various growth, yield, quality and cost economics parameters. Analysis was carried out using RCBD separately for both the cultivars. Cost of cultivation was calculated based on prevailing input prices including fertilizers, biofertilizers, labour, irrigation and plant protection measures (Table -3). Formulae used as follows:

Gross return: Gross return = Yield (t ha⁻¹) × Market price (Rs. kg⁻¹)

Net return: Net return = Gross return -Total cost of cultivation

Benefit cost ratio: Benefit cost ratio = Gross return / Total cost of cultivation Suggesting the better economics of fertilizer use. The net return was invariably high with combined application of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers. Almost all treatments exhibited better return as compared to control. In a similar study, Karthik and Amarnath (2014) [4] calculated economics of ginger and found maximum net profit (Rs. 97175) and cost benefit ratio of ginger with application of 100:50:50 kg/ha NPK along with bio fertilizers. Considering the overall results after studying the impact of different treatments in the study it can be known that use of higher dose of fertilizers (200%) specifically through fertigation can result in better growth, yield and quality parameters in ginger. It was also known that use of higher dose of fertilizers may add up to the cost of production but it has shown better benefit cost ratio due to increased rhizome yield. The total cost of cultivation varied from Rs. 103325 to Rs.114625 per hectare across treatments.

Conclusion

Application of 200% recommended dose of fertilizers through fertigation resulted in the highest yield, net return, and benefit cost ratio in both Rio-de-Janeiro and Himachal cultivars. Although the cost of cultivation increased with higher fertilizer levels, the enhanced yield compensated for the additional investment, resulting in superior profitability. Therefore, optimized fertigation regimes can be recommended for improving economic returns in ginger cultivation under eastern dry zone conditions of Karnataka.

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgmentsThe authors acknowledge the institutional support and field assistance provided during the conduct of the experiment. No conflict of interest is declared.

References

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