Studies on Relative Economics of Apple Nursery Production under Different Weed Management Practices in Kashmir Valley, India
Asrar Ul Haq
Division of Fruit Science, Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar-190025 (J&K), India.
Angrej Ali *
Division of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura Campus, Sopore-193201 (J&K), India.
Amit Kumar
Division of Fruit Science, Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar-190025 (J&K), India.
F. A. Khan
Division of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar-190025 (J&K), India.
S. A. Mir
Division of Statistics, Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar-190025 (J&K), India.
B. A. Alie
Advance Research Station for Saffron & Seed Spices, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Pampore-192121 (J&K), India.
Fazal M. Mir
School of Agricultural Economics and Horti-Business Management, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar-190025 (J&K), India.
Fasil Fayaz
Division of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar-190025 (J&K), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the relative economics of various weed management practices in apple nursery in Kashmir valley, India.
Study Design: A Randomized Complete Block Design with seven treatments and three replications was employed as the experimental design.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was laid out at the Experimental Farm, Division of Fruit Science, Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India during the year 2020.
Methodology: Seven weed management treatments (manual weeding, pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1, pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 + manual weeding, paddy straw mulch-6 cm thick, black polyethylene mulch-200 micron), weed-free and weedy check) were tested in apple nursery (cv. Silver Spur grafted on M9-T337). The input costs and output in terms of monetary values were calculated under different treatments at prevailing market rates. The net return and benefit-cost (B:C) ratio was worked out based on input and output values under each treatment.
Results: The treatment paddy straw mulch showed the highest input cost (₹9543725.90) while black polyethylene mulch resulted the maximum output (17113252.80). The maximum net returns of ₹78,02,726 from grafted apple nursery plants were recorded under black polyethylene mulch with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.83 followed by pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 + manual weeding with net returns of ₹71,60,541 and benefit-cost ratio of 1.77.
Conclusion: Black polyethylene mulch resulted highest net return and B:C ratio, hence it found to be most profitable weed management practice in apple nursery. Pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 + manual weeding can also be considered as alternative weed management option.
Keywords: Apple nursery, benefit-cost ratio, mulch, pendimethalin, weed management