Influence of fertilizer levels on productivity, seed quality and economics of tossa jute (Corchorus olitorius)

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) season of 2017–2019 on medium black soils at Rahuri, Maharashtra, to find out the suitable dose of farmyard manure (FYM) along with chemical fertilizers for enhancing productivity, seed quality and economics of tossa jute (Corchorus olitorius L.). The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with 4 replications The Factor-A comprised organic manure levels, i.e. M₁, control and M₂, FYM @ 5 t/ha, and Factor-B comprised 5 fertilizer doses (N: P: K kg/ha), i.e. F₀, control; F₁, 60: 13: 25 kg/ha; F₂, 60: 26: 50 kg/ha; F₃, 80: 17.5: 33.3 kg/ha; and F₄, 80: 26: 50 kg/ha, with 10 combinations of FYM and fertilizer doses with tossa jute variety ‘JRO 524’. The results indicated that, the application of FYM 5 t/ha recorded significantly higher seed yield (1.39 t/ha) than the control (1.24 t/ha) during pooled mean of 3 years. Similarly, it also ensued significantly higher net returns (77.6 × 10³/ha) and benefit: cost (2.43) than control as per pooled mean of 3 years. Tossa jute crop gave significantly higher seed yield (1.56 t/ha) with 80: 17.5: 33.3 kg/ha of N: P: K than control, 60: 13: 25, 60: 26: 50 kg/ha, but it was at par with 80: 26: 50 kg/ha oflevel (N: P: K of in pooled mean of 3 years. A similar trend was recorded for growth and yield attributes. Application of N: P: K at 80: 26: 50 kg/ha recorded significantly higher net monetary returns (94.1 × 10³/ha) and benefit: cost (2.78) than rest of all treatments in pooled mean. On the basis of results, it can be concluded that the application of FYM (5 t/ha) along with fertilizer dose of 80: 17.5: 33.3 N: P: K kg/ha may be recommended for enhancement of production in seed yield, quality and economics of tossa jute on medium deep soil in kharif season.