Effect of Organic, Inorganic and Biofertilizers on Growth, Yield and Quality of Sponge Gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca) cv. TMSG-1609

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Effect of organic fertilizers, inorganic fertilizers and biofertilizers on growth, yield and quality of sponge gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca)” was carried out at Department of Horticulture, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P) during rabi season of 2022 for evaluation of different treatment combination of organic, inorganic fertilizers and biofertilizers on growth, yield and quality of sponge gourd c.v. TMSG (1609). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with combination traits of 9 treatments, and three replication. Studies shows that, among all the treatments T7 was found to be the best out of the 9 treatments in terms of growth, yield and quality with days to germination (11.5 DAS), days to emergence (25.08 DAS), survival percentage (79.67%),vine length (20,40,60 DAS) (115.60 ,271.10, 453.70 cm), appearance of first male (47.75 DAS)  and female flower (54.64%)  in 50% flowering, days to first harvest (64.80 DAS), no. of fruits per plant (24.81), fruit length (24.81 cm), fruit diameter (6.13), fruit weight (181.71 g), yield per hectare(t) (16.20 t/ha), TSS (Total soluble solids)  (4.72 0brix), ascorbic acid content (10.01 mg), fruit colour (138.6). In terms of economics, gross return, net return and benefit cost ratio was also recorded in T7 (80% RDF + 20% through vermicompost + PSB + azotobacter) with gross return (Rs, 3,20,400) , net return (Rs 2,35,750) along with benefit cost ratio (3.7).