Integrated nutrient management influenced growth, yield and economics of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) under semi arid conditions

A field experiment was conducted during the winter seasons of 2007–08 to 2009–10 at Jobner, Rajasthan, to investigate the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, productivity, quality and economics of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). Integrated application of 50% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through vermicompost (VC) + 50% RDN through fertilizers showed higher values of all the growth and yield attributes, viz. plant height, branches/plant, umbels/plant, umbellates/umbel, seeds/umbellate and 1,000-seed weight to the magnitude of 14.0, 22.0, 45.5, 24.9, 25.4 and 20.6% over the absolute control, respectively, closely followed by 100% RDN through fertilizers. Among the different nutrient-management practices, significantly highest mean seed (1.82 t/ha), stover (3.78 t/ha) and biological (5.60 t/ha) yields, gross (127,400/ha) and net monetary returns (101,883/ha), essential oil content (2.17%), oil yield (39.49 kg/ha) and available soil nitrogen balance (144.7 kg/ha) were recorded with 50% RDN through VC + 50% RDN through fertilizers realizing 54.4, 51.8, 52.6, 54.4, 59.9, 17.3, 81.1 and 12.9% increase over absolute control, respectively. Similarly, it also recorded 3.99 benefit: cost ratio which was superior to the control (3.39) and remained at par with other treatments, but significantly lower to 100% RDN through fertilizers (4.72). Therefore, it is recommended to apply 50% RDN through VC + 50% RDN through fertilizers and reduced chemical fertilizers to 50%.