Cluster Demonstration on Integrated Nutrient Management in Dragon Fruit at Farmer Field of Aizawl District Mizoram, India

Abstract

The cluster demonstration of dragon fruit at Muthi & Durtlang Village of Aizawl District has demonstrated under PKVY Programme in the year 2019. A total of 30 farmers were demonstrated for that KVK has provided altogether 1000 nos. of cutting from 2-3 years old strong and dark green healthy (damage free & pest free) and 300 nos. RCC pole 100 mm concrete post with the height of 2 m of selected beneficiaries. Each plant was fed 15-20 kg with organic inputs well decomposed FYM or poultry manure, coir compost and vermicompost along with bio-fertilizers and recommended dose of fertilizer: (500: 300:250 NPK and 100 each of Azotobacter, Phosphate Solubilizing and Potash Solubilizing Bacteria were applied to each plant g/plant/year.) Applied in three doses just before flowering (in April), fruit developing stage (July -August) and after harvesting time (in December).The results revealed that there were significant differences in term of vine length (196.26cm), vine thickness (19.03cm), number of vines per plant (5.98) over the farmers practices which was vine length (182.23cm), vine thickness (17.95cm), number of vines per plant (5.14) The results revealed that there were significant differences over farmer practices as influenced by technology demonstration treatment in both the demonstration year. The demonstrated technologies recorded average yield of 8.043 tone/ha which was 18.50 percent higher than the obtained with farmer’s practices of 6.787 tone/ha. The demonstrated field gave higher mean gross return (`USD 12763.70 /ha) and mean net returns (`USD 12155.91 /ha) with average benefit cost ratio of 1.14 compared to benefit cost ratio of 1.04 over farmer practices. The findings demonstrated that by implementing suggested technology, broccoli yield and economics can be improved.