Effect of organic nutrients on fruit yield, quality, and economics in ridge gourd (Luffa accutangula L.) cv. Pusa Nasdar

The present investigation entitled “Effect of organic nutrients on Fruit Yield, Quality and Economics in Ridge gourd (Luffa accutangula L.) cv. Pusa Nasdar was carried out at the Instructional cum research farm of Organic Farming Research & Training Centre, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, during kharif season 2022-2023. The objective was to study the effect of various organic sources of nutrients on growth and flowering of ridge gourd (Luffa accutangula L.) cv. Pusa Nasdar. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design in nine treatments with three replications. The treatments were T1 (100% RDN through FYM), T2 (100% RDN through FYM + Jivamrut 3 app. At 20, 40 & 60 DAP (SA & FA)), T3 (75% RDN through FYM + Jivamrut 3 app. At 20, 40 & 60 DAP (SA & FA)), T4 (50% RDN through FYM + 25% RDN through Neem cake + Jivamrut 3 app. At 20, 40 & 60 DAP (SA & FA)), T5 (Jivamrut 3 app. At 20, 40 & 60 DAP (SA & FA)), T6 (100% RDN through FYM + Biofertilizers [(Azotobacter + PSB) SA 2.5 litre/ha & ST]), T7 (75% RDN through FYM + Biofertilizers [(Azotobacter + PSB) SA 2.5 litre/ha & ST]), T8 (50% RDN through FYM + 25% RDN through Neem cake + Biofertilizers [(Azotobacter + PSB) SA 2.5 litre/ha & ST]), T9 (100% RDF + FYM @ 5 t/ha (Control)). The study demonstrated that treatment T9 (100% RDF + FYM @ 5 t/ha) excelled in fruit yield parameters, achieving the highest values across vine, plot, and hectare yields, as well as optimal fruit size metrics. Treatment T6 (100% RDN through FYM + Biofertilizers) achieved superior fruit quality, recording significantly higher total soluble solids (TSS) at 3.09°B and maximum ascorbic acid content (11.02 mg/100 g). Additionally, T9 demonstrated economic viability with the highest benefit-cost ratio of 3.68, whereas treatment T5 (Jivamrut applied three times) showed lower performance across these parameters, including a lower benefit-cost ratio of 2.32.