AbstractIntensive cultivation and excessive chemical fertilizer use contribute to soil degradation, environmental concerns and high production costs in agriculture. Addressing the limited information on balanced nutrient management in onion cultivation, this two-year factorial randomized block design experiment investigated the effects of three recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) levels (80%, 100%, 120% NPK) combined with six organic treatments (control, various rates of biomix and humic acid) on onion (cv Baswant-780) yield and economics in Parbhani, Maharashtra. Pooled data revealed that the highest bulb yields (24.56 and 24.24 tonnes/ha) were achieved with 120 per cent RDF combined with either 10 kg per hectare humic acid or 15 kg per hectare biomix, with both treatments being statistically at par. Economically, treatment 120 per cent RDF + 10 kg per ha humic acid yielded the highest net return (Rs 154,913.62/ha), while treatment 120 per cent RDF + 15 kg/ha biomix) recorded the superior benefit-cost ratio (2.38). These findings underscore that integrating 120 per cent RDF with optimal organic sources (either 10 kg/ha humic acid or 15 kg/ha biomix) significantly enhances onion bulb yield and profitability. This study advocates for the adoption of such integrated nutrient management practices to foster sustainable and economically viable onion cultivation.
Garde et al. (Wed,) studied this question.