Productivity and profitability of soybean as influenced by site-specific nutrient management under mid-hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted at Research Farm, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, India to study the productivity and profitability of soybean under site-specific nutrient management. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design comprising of three replications and seven treatments including N₄₃P₄₃K₅₀, N₄₃P₄₃K₀, N₄₃P₀K₅₀, N₀P₄₃K₅₀, N₂₀P₆₀K₄₀, Farm yard manure (5t/ha) and N₀P₀K₀. Experimental site was silty clay loam in texture, acidic in reaction, low in available nitrogen, and medium in available phosphorus and potassium. The highest seed yield (1840 kg/ha), harvest index (38.5%), yield gap over N₄₃P₄₃K₅₀(919kg/ha in T₇), net return (42234 Rs/ha) and benefit cost ratio (2.25) was recorded at N₄₃P₄₃K₅₀(SSNM). Omission of nutrients significantly reduced yield and monetary returns while it enhanced yield gap. The lowest seed yield, harvest index, net return and benefit cost ratio was recorded in absolute control treatment (N₀P₀K₀). Site specific nutrient management (N₄₃ P₄₃ K₅₀) proved to be the best treatment in enhancing the yield and monetary returns of soybean. The recommended dose of nutrients (N₂₀P₆₀K₄₀) and farm yard manure @ 5t/ha proved to be the second and third best treatment, respectively.