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.

The study has been undertaken to investigate the physico-chemical, cooking and nutritional qualities of selected traditional rice varieties of Tamil Nadu. Significant variations (p<0.05) were observed among the twelve traditional rice varieties for all the characters except hulling percentage. Among the varieties, the highest hulling out-turn was found in Poonkar (90.0 %) and the lowest was found in Anaikomban (84.0 %). The milling out-turn was ranged from 74.0 % to 80.0 %. Head Rice Recovery (HRR) varied from 50.0 % to 75.0 %. The kernel length was highest in Kullakar (6.3 mm) and lowest (4.2 mm) in Milagu samba and Thulasi vasa samba. Kernel breadth was ranged between 1.4 – 2.5 mm. Based on length/breadth ratio, the variety Thanga samba obtained slender grain type whereas all other varieties obtained medium grain type. The Kernel length after cooking ranged from 6.5 mm (Thulasi vasa samba) to 9.8 mm (Poonkar). The volume expansion ratio ranged from 4.6 in Sorna masuri to 3.7 in Poonkar and Kullakar. Gel consistency ranged from 46.0 - 135.0 mm. The Gelatinization Temperature (GT) was determined based on alkali spreading value and the rice varieties Milagu samba, Kuzhiadichan and Thulasi vasa samba have obtained intermediate GT values whereas other varieties evaluated showed high to intermediate GT. Intermediate amylose content is considered to be the best from the cooking point of view. Varieties Anaikomban (20.1 %), Garudan samba (20.4 %), Poonkar (20.7 %) and Sorna masuri (23.2 %) were identified with intermediate amylose content. Highest protein (10.40 %), iron (15.8 mg kg-1) and zinc (20.5 mg kg-1) content were recorded in the varieties Poonkar, Thuaiya malli samba and Kullakar respectively, making them nutritionally superior among the tested varieties. There is a growing global demand for rice varieties with good quality characteristics. This study provides immense information on varieties with superior physico-chemical, cooking and nutritional characteristics which could be used to meet those demands.

A field experiment was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2020 to evaluate the efficacy of various sources of nutrients on the growth, quality, yield and economics of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L). There were six nutrient management practices consisting of organic, inorganic and combined sources of nutrients, which were evaluated, in randomized block design with five replications. Among the practices, the state recommended nutrient management practice (Farm yard manure (FYM) @ 25 t ha-1 + Azophos @ 2 kg ha-1 + Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF)) performed well with respect to plant height (88.7), number of primary and secondary branches per plant (49.8), number of fruits per plant (11.6) and yield per hectare (25,794 kg). Whereas, the organic nutrient management (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) performed well with respect to gross return (Rs. 299288 ha-1), net return (Rs. 183844 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.59). The quality parameters like ascorbic acid content, total soluble solids (TSS) and titrable acidity were also higher under the organic source of nutrients compared to only chemical or integrated nutrient sources. It can be concluded that the productivity of tomatoes were higher under state recommended nutrient management practice (FYM @ 25 t ha-1 + Azophos @ 2 kg ha-1 + RDF). However for getting highly profitable and quality tomato production, 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 recommended.

The field experiment was carried out at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore in 2020 to evaluate the influence of different nutrient management practices on growth, yield and economics of brinjal (Solanum melongena. L). There were six treatments consisting of organic, inorganic and combined sources of nutrients evaluated in randomized block design with five replications. Among the treatments, the state recommended management practices (Farm yard manure (FYM) @ 25t ha-1 + Azophos @ 2kg ha-1 + Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF)) had showed better performances for plant height (139.6 cm), number of branches per plant (29.0), number of leaves per plant (127.6) number of fruits per plant (16.0) and yield per hectare (21.70 tonnes). The highest gross return (Rs. 251676 ha-1) and net return (Rs. 158332 ha-1) were obtained from 100% organic manures applied treatments. The highest benefit: cost ratio (2.84) was obtained from 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 treatments. Application of organic sources of nutrients also produced better quality fruits compared to only chemical or integrated nutrient sources. Though, the state recommended management practices (FYM @ 25t ha-1 + Azophos @ 2kg ha-1 + RDF) recorded higher productivity, the organic package consisting of 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 was recommended for economically sustainable organic brinjal production.