Effect of Farmyard Manure and Biofertilizers on Productivity and profitability of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.) cv. Pant Kheera-1

Biofertilizers are microbial inoculation of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) which act as important components of integrated nutrient management (INM) and have the ability to reduce the nutritional dependence of plants over chemical fertilizers. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the response of farmyard manure (FYM) and biofertilizers on the productivity and profitability of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cv. Pant Kheera-1. The application of FYM was done by thoroughly mixing it in the soil one week prior to sowing and basal dose of vermicompost was incorporated in soil one week before sowing and treated with three biofertilizers such as Azotobacter, PSB and KSB as per the requirement of the treatment. The results indicated that farmyard manure and biofertilizers like Azotobacter and PSB with different RDF doses of fertilizers significantly influenced the different growth and yield attributes of cucumber. Application of 75% RDF + FYM + Azotobacter + PSB + KSB recorded significantly higher fruit setting percent (93.26%) and fruit yield. It was recorded that the maximum gross returns and net returns was recorded in with the application of 75% RDF + FYM + Azotobacter + PSB + KSB with B:C ratio of 4.7 while maximum B:C ratio (4.9) was recorded with a application of 100% RDF. Thus, integration of organic manure and biofertilizers with 75% of RDF improved the production potential of cucumber and enhanced the net return.