Field experiments were conducted at TNAU, Coimbatore during 2019 and 2020 for developing organic nutrient package for finger millet (Ragi) using the variety CO (Ra) 15. Treatments included twelve combinations of weed compost, enriched vermicompost, enriched farmyard manure (EFYM) as soil application along with panchagavya, effective microbes (EM), vermiwash, egg amino acid as foliar spray. The experiment was laid out in RBD with three replications. The results showed that application of enriched vermicompost @ 1t ha -1 applied in two equal splits on 25 and 40 DAT along with foliar application of egg amino acid @ 5% on 30 and 45 DAT was found to be the best nutrient management package for organic finger millet based on the grain yield (2746 kg ha -1 ). However the maximum net return (Rs. 31,477) and BCR of 1.94 was recorded under basal application of EFYM @ 750 kg ha -1 along with foliar spraying of EM @ 5% on 30 and 45 DAT thus proving as an economically viable nutrient package for organic finger millet production.

The field experiment was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2021 to develop an economically viable nutrient management package for chilli that sustains growth, yield and quality of the produce at the same time. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with six treatments and five replications. The treatments consisted of organic, inorganic and combined nutrient management practices. The results revealed that the state recommended practices (Farm yard manure @ 25 t ha-1 + Azophos @ 2 kg ha-1 + recommended dose fertilizers (RDF)) registered the highest plant height (71.7), number of branches per plant (24.7), leaf area (22.5 cm2), number of fruits per plant (79.4) and yield per hectare (16589 kg). However, interms of economics the organic nutrient management practices performed well with 50 % N requirement through organic manures (50 % FYM + 50 % Vermicompost) + seedling treatment with Beejamrit + Ghanajeevamrit @ 250 kg ha-1, Jeevamrit @ 500 litres ha-1 time-1 twice a month with irrigation water fetching higher benefit cost ratio (2.40). The quality parameters like total soluble solids (TSS) and ascorbic acid content were also higher (5.84 °brix and 127.46 mg 100 g-1 respectively) under 50 % N requirement through organic manures (50 % FYM + 50 % Vermicompost) + seedling treatment with Beejamrit + Ghanajeevamrit @ 250 kg ha-1, Jeevamrit @ 500 litres ha-1 time-1 twice a month with irrigation water applied plots compared to other nutrient management practices. It can be concluded that the application of state recommended management practices had a positive effect on growth and yield. However for getting economically sustainable and quality chilli, the organic package – 50 % N requirement through organic manures (50 % FYM + 50 % Vermicompost) + seedling treatment with Beejamrit + application of Ghanajeevamrit @ 250 kg ha-1, Jeevamrit @ 500 litres ha-1 time-1 twice a month with irrigation water can be suggested.

Background: Blackgram being important crop among pulse is gaining popularity and thus requiring suitable crop production practices especially under organic farming. In this context, this study was proposed with the objective to investigate the optimal nutrient management practices in organic blackgram by utilizing various organic nutrient sources. Methods: Field experiments were conducted at two different locations in spilt plot design. The treatments consisted of 4 levels of organic manure viz., Farm Yard Manure (FYM) @ 12.5 t ha-1, Vermicompost (VC) @ 2.5 t ha-1, Enriched FYM (EFYM) @ 750 kg ha-1 and Enriched VC (EVC) @ 1 t ha-1 as main plot treatments and five levels of foliar spray of liquid manure viz., two foliar sprays of Panchagavya @ 3% and Fermented egg extract (FEE), Fermented fish extract (FFE), Farmers effective microorganisms (FEM), Jeevamruth each @ 5%. Result: Results revealed that application of EFYM and VC, produced higher yield parameters and grain yield, respectively under main plot organic manure addition at site-I and II. Among the sub plots liquid manure treatments Panchagavya spray has produced higher grain yield along with the yield parameters at both the sites. Among the organic manures higher economic returns were obtained with the application of EFYM at both the sites while among the liquid manures better returns were obtained with the application of Panchagavya at site-I and Panchagavya or FEM spray at site-II.

Background: A series of field experiments were conducted at the Tapioca and Castor Research Station (TCRS), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Yethapur, Salem from 2022 to 2023. The purpose was to investigate the growth dynamics and economics of short-duration cassava under different nutrient management practices including both integrated and organic approaches. Methods: Twelve treatments were carried out consisting of various combinations of organic manures, liquid organic foliar sprays, integrated nutrient management treatments and a control treatment (no manures/fertilizers/sprays). The experiments were carried out in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications at the same location. Results: The results revealed that the different nutrient management practices had a significant impact on the physiological response throughout the various stages of plant growth. Based on the average data from two experiments, the INM treatment (FYM @ 25 t ha-1 + 100% recommended dose of fertilizers and cassava booster spray) showed the highest physiological response during the final phase of growth. This treatment showed superior performance in terms of leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), tuber bulking rate (TBR) and mean TBR. The organic treatment (wood ash @ 2 t ha-1 and 3% panchagavya foliar spray) recorded comparable performance to the INM treatment in major parameters such as LAI, CGR, RGR and NAR. However, it followed the INM treatment in terms of mean TBR. Economic analysis revealed that the INM treatment yielded the highest net income and benefit-cost ratio (BCR), followed by the organic treatment. The control resulted in the least returns. In conclusion, the findings highlight the effectiveness of the INM treatment and the promising performance of the organic treatment which can contribute to sustainable and profitable cassava cultivation.