The Impacts Economic Analysis of Deficit Irrigation and Integrated Application of Biological Fertilizers on Cultivation of Borage in Iran

Abstract

Experiment was conducted as split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Kermanshah to shed lights on economic analysis of deficit irrigation and integrated application of biological and chemical fertilizer son cultivation of medicinal plant Borage (<em>Borago officinalis </em>L). Irrigation tritments include: a) 30% less water than crop requires invegetative, b) inreproductive,c) in vegetative+reproductive and d) control (100% crop water requirement). Fertilizer treatments include applying 100% chemical fertilizer, 50% chemical fertilizers+biological fertilizers and 25% chemical+biological fertilizers. The results showed that grain yield was decreased under low irrigation. Low irrigation during vegetative and reproductive stages was found to 9.5 and 15.7%. Low economic efficiency of low irrigation water in vegetative stage was much more than reproductive and vegetative growth less up to 32.2% and 27.1% respectively. Integrated use of organic and chemical fertilizers by 50% and 25% alleviated cost of fertilizer to 38% and 63% respectively. Among deficit irrigation treatments, vegetative low irrigation treatment had net and gross income to low reproductive irrigation and low vegetative reproductive irrigation. The 50% chemical+bio fertilizers in comparison with 100% chemical fertilizers had higher net and gross income than vegetative, reproductive and vegetative+reproductive stages. The mentioned treatments compared with 100% chemical fertilizers improved benefit-cost ratio to control treatment and vegetative deficit irrigation 27% and 15.7% respectively. Based on results, vegetative deficit irrigation showed the better economic indexes in comparison with other treatments. However, in case deficit irrigation is necessary, the vegetative deficit irrigation and using 50% chemical biofertilizer are recommended.