Abstract

                                field experiment was carried out at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,Coimbatore in 2020 to evaluate the influence of different nutrientmanagement practices on growth, yield and economics of brinjal (Solanummelongena. L). There were six treatments consisting of organic, inorganic andcombined sources of nutrients evaluated in randomized block design with fivereplications. Among the treatments, the state recommended managementpractices (Farm yard manure (FYM) @ 25t ha-1 + Azophos @ 2kg ha-1 +Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF)) had showed better performancesfor plant height (139.6 cm), number of branches per plant (29.0), numberof leaves per plant (127.6) number of fruits per plant (16.0) and yield perhectare (21.70 tonnes). The highest gross return (Rs. 251676 ha-1) and netreturn (Rs. 158332 ha-1) were obtained from 100% organic manures appliedtreatments. The highest benefit: cost ratio (2.84) was obtained from 50% Nrequirement through organic manures (50 % FYM + 50 % Vermicompost) +seedling treatment with Beejamrit + Ghanajeevamrit @ 250 kg ha-1, Jeevamrit@ 500 litres ha-1 time-1 twice a month with irrigation water applied treatments.Application of organic sources of nutrients also produced better quality fruitscompared to only chemical or integrated nutrient sources. Though, the staterecommended management practices (FYM @ 25t ha-1 + Azophos @ 2kg ha-1+ RDF) recorded higher productivity, the organic package consisting of 50%N requirement through organic manures (50 % FYM + 50 % vermicompost)+ seedling treatment with Beejamrit + application of Ghanajeevamrit @ 250kg ha-1, Jeevamrit @ 500 litres ha-1 time-1 twice a month with irrigation waterwas recommended for economically sustainable organic brinjal production.

Key words : Brinjal; Organic; Integrated; Nutrient management; Jeevamrith