Economic Analysis and Commercial Potential of Ornamental Sunflower as a Cut Flower

Abstract

Ornamental sunflower has gained popularity as a cut flower owing to its attractive appearance, short growth cycle, and market demand, although limited information is available regarding its economic feasibility and commercial potential under Indian conditions. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the economic performance and profitability of ornamental sunflower cultivation. The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Completely Randomized Design with three replications and was conducted at the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Horticulture and Research Station, Mahatma Gandhi University of Horticulture and Forestry, Durg, Chhattisgarh, India, during the summer seasons of 2024–25 and 2025–26. It comprised two factors: four humic acid concentrations (no humic acid application; humic acid at 10 mL/L water; humic acid at 20 mL/L water; and humic acid at 30 mL/L water) and three organic leachates (no leachate application, vermicompost leachate, and neem cake leachate). These treatment combinations were used to calculate the economics of ornamental sunflower cultivation. Among the treatments studied, the highest B:C ratio (3.31) was obtained with T8 (humic acid 20 mL/L + vermicompost leachate), followed by T9 (humic acid 20 mL/L + neem cake leachate) with a B:C ratio of 3.30. The minimum B:C ratio (2.05) was recorded for the control treatment, T1. These results indicate the economic potential of T8 for commercial cultivation and for improving growers’ income.