Economic assessment of Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.) in response to different bio-stimulants

Introduction

Indian floriculture sector is witnessing steady growth, driven by the expanding area under flower cultivation and increasing demand for loose and cut flowers. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (2024-25), flower crops occupied approximately 397 thousand hectares, with production of 3226 thousand metric tonnes of loose flowers and 1039 thousand metric tonnes of cut flowers (Anon., 2025) [1] . Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.) is gaining importance as a promising ornamental crop for cut foliage and filler purposes due to its attractive foliage, golden yellow inflorescences, good vase life and suitability for floral arrangements. The economic potential of the crop largely depends on higher marketable spike yield, quality produce, production cost and returns obtained per unit area (Semple, 2025) [2] . Bio-stimulants have emerged as promising sustainable inputs for improving plant growth, nutrient uptake, physiological efficiency, flowering and yield of horticultural crops, thereby enhancing marketable yield and profitability Traon et al. (2014) [3] . However, limited information is available on the economic performance of Goldenrod under different bio-stimulant treatments. Hence, the present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the economic efficiency of different bio-stimulant treatments in Goldenrod.

Materials and Methods

The present investigation was carried out at the Experimental Block, Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (KSNUAHS), Shivamogga, Karnataka, during 2025-26. The experimental field was thoroughly prepared through repeated tillage operations, followed by levelling and formation of flat beds measuring 2.1 m × 1.2 m. Well-decomposed farmyard manure (FYM) at 25 t/ha was incorporated during land preparation. The recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) of 100:50:50 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O/ha, as recommended by Rakesh (2022) [4] , was applied, with the entire dose of phosphorus and potassium and half of the nitrogen applied as basal, while the remaining half of nitrogen was top-dressed in two equal splits at 30 and 60 days after transplanting (DAT). Healthy and uniform rooted suckers of Goldenrod were planted at a spacing of 30 × 30 cm. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and nine treatments, namely T 1 -Humicel @ 0.3%, T 2 -Humicel @ 0.5%, T 3 -Spic Cytozyme @ 0.3%, T 4 -Spic Cytozyme @ 0.5%, T 5 -Kelpak @ 0.3%, T 6 -Kelpak @ 0.5%, T 7 -Samras @ 0.3%, T 8 -Samras @ 0.5% and T 9 -Control. The respective bio-stimulants were applied as foliar sprays at 30, 60 and 90 DAT. Economic analysis was carried out by estimating the total cost of cultivation, spike yield, gross returns, net returns and benefit:cost ratio for each treatment. Gross returns were calculated based on the prevailing market price of Goldenrod spikes, while net returns were obtained by deducting the total cost of cultivation from the gross returns. The benefit:cost ratio was calculated as the ratio of gross returns to the total cost of cultivation. The data ob-tained were subjected to statistical analysis to assess the economic performance of different bio-stimulant treatments.

Results and Discussion

The findings of the present investigation were interpreted and are presented in Table 1 based on the observations recorded during the experimental study. Spic Cytozyme @ 0.3%

Conclusion

Improving profitability, spike yield and economic efficiency are important objectives in commercial Goldenrod cultivation. The overall results of the present investigation revealed that foliar application of bio-stimulants improved spike yield and economic returns. Among the different treatments, Samras @ 0.3 per cent (T 7 ) proved to be the most effective, recording the highest spike yield, gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio. Hence, Samras @ 0.3 per cent can be recommended for commercial cultivation of Goldenrod to achieve higher yield, profitability and economic efficiency under the prevailing agroclimatic conditions.

References

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