Economic Study of Effect of Different Organic Fertilizers on Yield of Off-Season Organic Tomato Production in a Semi-Controlled Environment in Kathmandu

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to analyzes the economic importance and the effects of different organic fertilizers on the yield of organic tomato farming during off season in a semi-controlled environment in Kathmandu, Nepal. Six different treatments were examined, including Jholmal (Liquid Manure) (T1), Farm Yard Manure (FYM) (T2), Vermicompost (T3), a combination of ½ dose of jholmol + ½ vermicompost (T4), ½ dose of jholmol + ½ FYM (T5) and control (T6). Each treatment was replicated 4 times in a plot of 12*0.5 m, with each plot carrying 20 tomato plants. The variety chosen was Srijana, and the distance for the plantation was maintained at 60 cm along the row. The results showed that combining ½ dose of Jholmal and ½ dose of vermicompost (T5)yielded the highest tomato productivity. The benefit-cost ratio was also the highest for T5 along with the highest productivity. The productivity of treatments T1, T2, and T3 were found to have no significant difference statistically, but the B: C ratio showed a clear difference. The study highlighted the potential benefits of transitioning to organic farming practices for improved crop yields and economic returns.