Effect of biodynamic package with vermicompost on growth, yield, quality and economics of potato under Malwa conditions of Madhya Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted to assess the impact on growth, yield, quality and economics of potato at the research farm of College of Agriculture, Indore, Madhya Pradesh during rabi season 2021-2022 in RBD with 3 replications. Ten treatments viz T₀ (Control), T₁ [Biodynamic preparation 500 (BD 500) @ 2.5 g/l], T₂ (BD 500 @ 5.0 g/l), T₃ [Biodynamic preparation 501 (BD 501) @ 2.5 g/l], T₄ (BD 501 @ 5.0 g/l], T₅ (Vermicompost @ 2.5 tons/ha), T₆ (BD 500 @ 2.5 g + vermicompost @ 2.5 tonnes/ha), T₇ (BD 500 @ 5.0 g + vermicompost @ 2.5 tonnes/ha), T₈ (BD 501 @ 2.5 g + vermicompost @ 2.5 tonnes/ha) and T₉ (BD 501 @ 5.0 g + vermicompost @ 2.5 tonnes/ha) were used. The treatments T₉ (BD 501@ 5.0 g + vermicompost @ 2.5 tonnes/ha) (53.83 g) and T₈ (BD 501 @ 2.5 g + vermicompost @ 2.5 tonnes/ha) (53.67 g) recorded higher fresh weight of leaves per plant as compared to T₀ (Control) (49.33 g). Diameter of tubers was highest in T₉ (8.42 cm) followed by T₈ (8.23 cm) and lowest in T₀ (6.33 cm). T₉ recorded highest net income and B-C ratio (Rs 5,75,070.67 and 1:3.72 respectively) followed by T₈ (Rs 5,06,428.33 and 1:3.71 respectively). Thus it can be concluded that the vermicompost and biodynamic approach are advantageous sources for sustainable agriculture specially for heavy feeder crops like potato.