MANENDRA SHARMA, DASHRATH BHATI AND SHAILESH KUMAR SINGH*
Department of Horticulture, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara-144 411 (Punjab), India
*(e-mail: drshaileshhrt@gmail.com; Mobile: 9855949955)
(Received: October 11, 2024; Accepted: December 9, 2024)
ABSTRACT
The application of inorganic fertilizer enhanced plant yield by more than 50% by providing essential nutrients. However, it has resulted in long-term negative consequences on soil, aquatic life, the environment and human health. Integrated use of inorganic fertilizers with biofertilizers and micronutrients can potentially improve the yield and maintain the nutritional balance in the soil. The current study evaluated the efficacy and economic viability of integrated nutrient management in brinjal. The highest yield, gross returns, net profit and benefit: cost ratio were noticed due to the application of nitrogen through 75% of RDF (recommended dose of fertilizers) with Azotobacter chroococcum as an N- fixer, phosphorus and potassium as RDF which was at par with the application of nitrogen and phosphorus through 75% of RDF with A. chroococcum as an N-fixer, Aspergillus niger as P-solubilizer and potassium as RDF. The foliar spray of ZnSO4 (0.5%) and borax (0.2%) was reported to have a significant interaction effect on yield and economics of brinjal cultivation.
Key words: Biofertilizers, Azotobacter chroococcum, Aspergillus niger, N-fixer, P-solubilizer