Enhancement of productivity and profitability of grafted brinjal under Integrated nutrient management practices

Integration of grafting technique and tailored nutrient management strategies provides a sustainable solution to address the production challenges and stress management in the cultivation of short-duration fruits and vegetables. The present study aimed to assess the productivity, nutrient uptake efficiency, plant resilience and economic viability of brinjal farming by evaluating the synergistic effect between grafted brinjal and integrated nutrient management (INM) practices. A pot experiment was conducted at the Central Horticultural Experiment Station (ICAR-CHES), Aiginia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from 2022-2023. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with ten treatments and replicated thrice. The yield performance of grafted brinjal improved with the application of 75% RDF through chemical fertilization and substitution of 25% N by FYM and vermicompost (37.8 and 35.6 t ha-1, respectively). Supplementation of 25% N through vermicompost and FYM proved to be the best treatment with respect to available nutrient content in soil. The results depicted highest apparent N recovery (55 kg ha-1), agronomic use efficiency (156 kg fruit kg-1 of nutrient applied) and relative agronomic efficiency (1.24) with the utilization of chemical fertilizers and FYM in a 3:1 ratio. The integrated application of chemical fertilizers and organic amendments significantly enhanced the productivity and profitability of grafted brinjal. This strategy addressed both the agronomic and environmental sustainability approach, making it a viable and effective solution for the farmers of the Odisha region.