RAJKUMAR CHAURASIYA, SHAILESH KUMAR SINGH*, DASHRATH BHATI, DINESH BABOO TYAGI, SUDHEER KUMAR PATHAK, ANKUR SHARMA AND LUXMI KANT TRIPATHI
School of Agriculture, ITM University, Gwalior-474 001 (MP), India
*(e-mail : drshaileshhrt@gmail.com; Mobile : 98559 49955)
(Received : October 28, 2022; Accepted : December 1, 2022)
ABSTRACT
Potassium (K) is known for enlargement of tuber size or inducing tuberization, resulting in accumulation of carbohydrate and improvement in yield. Zinc is known to improve the formation and growth of stolon which is positively correlated with tuberization to improve tuber yield and finally high gross income. Application of biofertilizers ensures the conversion of unavailable nutrients in the available form. The present investigation was carried out to standardize the doses of potassium and zinc and suitability of biofertilizers for ensuring better income, benefit : cost ratio and effective income index during potato cultivation. The application of potassium at the rate of 80 kg/ha and zinc at the rate of 4 to 6 kg/ha in combination with Azotobacter+PSB (phosphate solubilizing bacteria) each at the rate of 2.5 kg/ha as biofertilizers or bio-inoculants ensured high gross income (Rs. 471727/ha), net income (Rs. 344802/ha), B : C ratio (3.62) and effective income index or EII (6.85) in cultivation of potato. A strong correlation of these attributes was reported with the potato yield. Also, correlation of EII and B : C ratio with net income and gross income was very high (more than 0.9); however, the correlation with cost of cultivation was non-significant.
Key words : Benefit : cost ratio, biofertilizers, effective income index (EII), net income, potassium, potato, zinc