Vol. 12, Issue 7 (2023)

Author(s):
Richa Sharma, Rakesh Kumar, Reetika Sharma, Vishal Raina and Vijay Kumar

Abstract:
The aim of this investigation was to assess economics of plant prepared through air layers of Kazi Lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) under rainfed conditions. The study was conducted at the Rainfed Research Sub-Station for Sub-Tropical Fruits (RRSS) in Raya, SKUAST-Jammu during the rainy season of 2020-2021. Juvenile branches with a diameter ranging from 1.00 to 2.00 cm were selected and subjected to girdling. The girdled portions were treated with IBA at concentrations of 500 ppm, 1000 ppm, and 1500 ppm. Four different combinations of rooting media were used, including soil + sphagnum moss (2:1), soil + cocopeat + vermicompost (2:1:1), and soil + F.Y.M + sand (2:1:1), in addition to a control group using only soil. The results indicated that callus formation occurred in all air layers, regardless of the application of IBA. The highest cost of operation, amounting to ₹ 7500, was observed in the treatment using water + soil + sphagnum moss (T₂), while the lowest cost, ₹ 4650, was recorded in the control treatment using water + soil (T₁). Regarding gross income, the treatment with 1500 ppm IBA + soil + sphagnum moss (T₁₄) yielded the highest income (₹ 10170), while the control treatment (T₁) generated the lowest income (₹ 4950). Net profit varied among treatments, with the maximum (₹ 3320) observed in T₁₄ and minimum (₹ 120) in T₁₃. The benefit-cost ratio (B:C) was influenced by the different treatments. The highest B:C ratio (1:4.8) was found in T₁₄, while the lowest (1:0.2) was observed in T₁₃ (1500 ppm IBA + soil). In summary, the investigation demonstrated that the application of IBA and the choice of rooting media significantly affected the air layering of Kagzi lime under rainfed conditions. The treatment using 1500 ppm IBA, soil and sphagnum moss proved to be the most profitable, providing the highest net profit and B:C ratio.