FC-2018v1n1 - page 6

Field Crop 2018, Vol.1, No.1, 1-4
http://fc.biopublisher.ca
3
and 6.00 harvest were taken from the two varieties respectively. Whereas, only 2.33 harvestings were obtained
from the variety Long Green which has minimum (0.49) number of fruits/plant. Similarly, in open growing
condition, varieties with more number of fruits i.e. Yellow Zucchini (3.07), Cheongma Zucchini (2.87) and
Champion (2.81) provided more number of harvestings viz. 6.00, 5.33 and 5.33 respectively.
2.2 Economic feasibility
The maximum cultivation cost of Rs. 7,62,250/ha in this study was incurred in variety Cora under naturally
ventilated polyhouse whereas in open growing condition with plastic mulch maximum and minimum costs of
cultivation were worked out in varieties Yellow Zucchini (Rs. 2, 85, 775) and ASV-3098 (Rs. 2, 53, 775)
respectively (Table 2). The gross and net returns in different varieties were worked out based on prevalent wages,
rate of critical inputs and average selling price of produce.
Table 2 Effect of growing condition and variety on economics of summer squash
SN Name of variety Cost of Cultivation (Rs./ha) Gross return (Rs./ha) Net return (Rs./ha) Benefit: Cost Ratio
Polyhouse Open Polyhouse Open Polyhouse Open Polyhouse Open
1 Cora (Check) 762250 273775 1550580 394950 788330 121175 2.03 1.44
2 Cheongma Zuchhini 745750 278775 899420 717720 153670 438945 1.20 2.57
3 Champion 747750 268275 1072815 775770 325065 507495 1.43 2.89
4 ASV-3098 727250 253775 656775 177870 -70475 -75905 0.90 0.70
5 Long Green 727750 269775 225420 459675 -502330 189900 0.31 1.70
6 Golden Yellow 743250 278775 780225 276630 36975 -2145 1.05 0.99
7 Yellow Zucchini 753750 285775 724665 475785 29085 190010 0.96 1.66
8 Green Star 745750 272275 899355 431070 153605 158795 1.21 1.58
9 Sunny House 754250 275775 1323420 599130 569170 323355 1.75 2.17
10 Catherina 739250 269775 1243170 503280 503920 233505 1.68 1.87
Mean 744700 272675 937585 481188 198702 208513 1.25 1.76
Under polyhouse highest gross return (Rs. 15, 50, 580), net profit (Rs. 7, 88, 330) and benefit-cost ratio (2.03)
were obtained from Cora and lowest B/C ratio in Long Green (0.31). In open growing conditions with plastic
mulch maximum net profit (Rs. 5, 07, 495) was obtained in Champion (2.89). Similar findings were also been
reported by Thapliyal et al. (2014) and Singh et al. (2015).
Higher values of gross return was obtained under naturally ventilated polyhouse in comparison to mulched condition
in open climate but net return and B: C ratio were found higher in open climate with plastic mulch because
polyethylene mulch provide optimum micro climate for better plant growth at a lower cost of cultivation than
naturally ventilated polyhouse due to no structural cost. Reason for higher gross return in naturally ventilated
polyhouse is moderate temperature and relative humidity maintenance and fewer incidences of viral diseases and
insect-pests. Whereas, net return was less due to structural cost of polyhouse establishment.
3 Discussion
The performance of summer squash was significantly influenced by growing conditions with respect to number of
fruits per plant. It was significantly higher in polyhouse and maximum fruits/plant recorded in Cora and Sunny
House, which also influenced number of harvestings positively. Similarly, in open growing condition, varieties
with more number of fruits i.e. Yellow Zucchini, Cheongma Zucchini and Champion provided more number of
harvestings. These results have similarities with results obtained from the findings of Dev (2011) and Bhatt et al.
(2016) working on summer squash.
Under polyhouse highest gross return, net profit and benefit-cost ratio were obtained from Cora and lowest B/C
ratio in Long Green. In open growing conditions with plastic mulch maximum net profit was obtained in
Champion. Similar findings were also been reported by Thapliyal et al. (2014) and Singh et al. (2015).