Effect of organic nutrient management practices on NPK uptake and economics of sesame

A field experiment was conducted during late kharif 2019 at College Farm, Agricultural College, Polasa, Jagtial, PJTAU, Telangana to evaluate the effect of organic nutrient management practices on nutrient uptake and economics of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). The experiment was laid out in a Factorial RBD design with four main treatments of organic nutrient sources (FYM, vermicompost, enriched vermicompost, neem cake, humic acid, and microbial consortia) and four sub-treatments of foliar organics (Panchagavya, NSKE, vermiwash, humic acid) replicated thrice. Results revealed that nutrient uptake of sesame was significantly influenced by main treatments, foliar sprays, and their interactions. Among main treatments, application of 75% N through FYM + 25% N through enriched vermicompost + microbial consortia (T₄) recorded the highest uptake of N (9.35 and 15.86 kg ha^-1), P (5.58 and 9.16 kg ha^-1), and K (6.48 and 2.88 kg ha^-1) by stalk and seed, respectively, followed by T₂ (50% N through FYM + 25% N through enriched vermicompost + microbial consortia). Among foliar applications, Panchagavya @ 3% (S₁) enhanced nutrient uptake, particularly in the seed, and was at par with humic acid. Interaction of T₄ with S₁ (T₄S₁) consistently recorded superior nutrient uptake. Economic analysis indicated that T₄ realized the highest gross returns (₹73,023 ha^-1), net returns (₹41,642 ha^-1), and benefit–cost ratio (2.33), followed by T₂. Among foliar sprays, S₁ (Panchagavya @ 3%) recorded the highest net returns (₹37,108 ha^-1) and B:C ratio (2.14). The interaction T₄S₁ registered maximum profitability (B:C ratio 2.44). It may be concluded that the integrated application of FYM with enriched vermicompost and microbial consortia, coupled with foliar spray of Panchagavya, is effective in enhancing nutrient uptake and ensuring higher profitability of sesame under rainfed organic farming systems.