Integrated crop management enhances productivity and profitability in African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

Abstract

Frontline demonstrations on African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) were conducted during Kharif 2022–23 and 2023–24 to evaluate the effectiveness of Integrated Crop Management (ICM) practices. ICM significantly enhanced growth parameters and recorded a higher mean yield (61 q ha⁻¹) compared with farmers’ practice (54 q ha⁻¹), resulting in a 12.96% yield advantage. Net returns (Rs. 1,97,180 ha⁻¹) and the benefit–cost ratio (3.4) were also higher under ICM. The technological gap, extension gap, and technology index were 39 q ha⁻¹, 7 q ha⁻¹, and 38–40%, respectively. The study confirms that ICM practices substantially improve productivity and profitability in marigold cultivation.