Standardisation of fertigation in papaya for higher productivity and profitability

A field experiment conducted to standardize the fertigation in papaya (Carica papaya L.) variety Arka Prabhat with 12 treatments in split plot design, indicated that fertigation with 75% recommended fertilizers (250:250:500 g NPK/plant/year) through water soluble fertilizers recorded significantly higher fruit yield (47.34 t/ha), fertilizer use efficiency (20.45 kg fruit yield/kg of nutrient applied) and increase in 31% higher yield over soil application. The TSS of papaya fruit was although not significantly influenced by both doses and sources of fertigation, significantly lower cavity index (3.12%) was observed when RDF was supplied with organics to the soil. Fertigation with 100% RDF through water soluble fertilizers recorded significantly higher soil organic carbon (1.16%). However, fertigation of 75% RDF with inorganic fertilizers was found more economical with higher gross returns (Rs.7.10 lakh/ha), net returns (Rs.4.7 lakh/ha) and benefit cost ratio (2.96)