Effect of different fertigation regimes on the cost economics of Mango cv. Ratna under high density planting system

Abstract

India is the largest producer of mango in the world; however, the lack of cost economic data limits growers from adopting modern production technologies. To address this gap, the present study evaluated the cost economics of mango cultivation under a high-density planting system with five different fertigation regimes T1: 125% RDF, T2: 100% RDF, T3: 75% RDF, T4: 50% RDF, and T5: Control (soil application of nutrients as per KAU Package of Practices). The results revealed that the highest cost of cultivation was recorded in T1 (125% RDF) (₹11,26,036/ha), while the lowest was observed in T4 (50% RDF) (₹7,54,407/ha). During the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons, the highest gross returns were obtained from T2 (100% RDF) (₹24,57,532/ha and ₹39,10,276/ha, respectively), whereas the lowest were recorded in T4 (50% RDF). However, the maximum net returns were achieved in T3 (75% RDF) (₹15,73,026/ha in 2023 and ₹30,13,327/ha in 2024), with corresponding highest benefit-cost ratios (B:C) of 2.79 and 4.43, respectively. The study concludes that fertigation with 75% of the recommended dose of fertilizers is the most cost-effective and efficient regime for enhancing productivity and profitability of mango under high-density planting conditions.