Impact of Fertilization on the Profitability and Yield Of Statice (Limonium sinuatum L.) Cut Flower Production under Ratoon Cropping System

Annual statice (Limonium Sinuatum L.) can produce two harvests of the quality crop in one cropping season with proper nutrition management. The effect of fertilization on yield and profitability of statice ratoon system has not been reported yet. Hence, the present study addresses the impact of fertilization on increased production potential and profitability of statice ratoon system. Results of the experiment reveal that the overall cost of cultivation as well as the economics of statice flower production under the ratoon cropping system was significantly influenced by fertilizer management in the main crop. An increase in dose of NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium) fertilizer increases the yield and quality of main as well as ratoon crop. The stem length and number of marketable flowers in ratoon crops increase with optimum dose of fertilizer application. The increase in yield and quality of ratoon crop ultimately lead to an increase in net income. Maximum net returns (₹ 6066612.17) and benefit-cost ratio (14.60:1) per hectare area were obtained from the same treatment while lowest (10.60:1) was observed with 100:75:50 kg/ha NPK. Hence, a fertilizer dose of 150:125:75 kg/ha NPK may be adopted to produce the maximum yield of quality cut flower stem of statice under ratoon cropping system which will result in getting maximum returns.