Soil test based nourishment to enhance yield attributes, nutrient-uptake, pigment and economics of beetroot grown in western ghats of Tamil Nadu

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is a widely cultivated root vegetable globally known for its significant health benefits. This study was conducted on a farmer’s field in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu's Western Ghats, using the Improved Crystal Hybrid beetroot variety, to evaluate the effects of varying dosages of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and integrated nutrient management systems on yield attributes, nutrient uptake, pigment content, and cost-effectiveness. The experimental trials were carried out in Kadanad Village during the winter of 2024 and in Emerald Village during the summer of 2024. The treatments included untreated nutrient controls, a general fertilizer recommended dose (GFRD), GFRD combined with Farm Yard Manure (FYM), Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) inorganic-based nutrient doses targeting yields of 350, 400, and 450 q ha-1, STCR integrated-based nutrient doses with the same yield targets, and the farmer’s standard fertilizer application. The findings showed that the treatment with 1.80 N + 2.33 P2O5 + 1.16 K2O q ha-1 combined with FYM @125 q ha-1 (T3) achieved the largest root diameter (8.76 cm), root perimeter (28.67 cm), total root length (20.40 cm), edible root length (8.1 cm), root fresh weight (264.51g per plant), root dry weight (23.53g per plant), root yield (442.10 q ha-1), nutrient uptake of N (181.65 kg ha-1), P (35.26 kg ha-1), K (195.98 kg ha-1), and pigment content (total betalain 138.02 mg 100g-1 FW, betacyanins 93.34 mg 100g-1 FW, betaxanthins 44.68 mg 100g-1 FW). This treatment also achieved the highest gross revenue (1,326,300Rs.), net income (1,100,300Rs.), and benefit-cost ratio (4.87:1).