Economic evaluation of hydrogel and graded levels of fertigation in mulberry cultivation and cocoon production

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2025 to evaluate the economics of hydrogel application combined with graded levels of fertigation in mulberry. Eight treatments comprising 50, 75 and 100 per cent recommended dose of nitrogen and potassium (RDNK) through fertigation, with and without starch-based hydrogel, along with conventional fertilizer practices, were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The total cost of leaf production ranged from Rs. 50,021/- to Rs. 53,360/- ha⁻¹ crop⁻¹, while cocoon production cost remained constant at Rs. 40,877/- ha⁻¹ crop⁻¹. Among the treatments, 75 per cent RDNK through fertigation combined with hydrogel recorded the highest gross returns (Rs. 2,84,180/- ha⁻¹ crop⁻¹), net returns (Rs. 1,90,425/- ha⁻¹ crop⁻¹) and benefit–cost ratio (3.03), compared to the control with regular RDF which recorded the lowest B:C ratio (2.70). The improved profitability was attributed due to the enhanced soil moisture retention, better nutrient use efficiency and increased leaf and cocoon productivity. The study demonstrated that integrating hydrogel with optimized fertigation under sensor-based irrigation is an economically viable and resource-efficient strategy for sustainable mulberry cultivation and cocoon production.