Economics of medicinal coleus (Plectranthus forskohlii Willd.)

Medicinal coleus is a perennial aromatic herb with annual stems and produces perennial dull orange coloured tuberous roots. An experiment was carried out at the Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, Kittur Rani Channamma College of Horticulture, Arabhavi during the kharif season of 2013. Among the treatments, FYM equivalent to 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) treatment recorded the highest gross returns (Rs. 1,91,249.2 ha^-1). Plants treated with poultry manure equivalent to 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) treatment gives highest net returns (Rs. 1,34,077.2 ha^-1). The least net returns (Rs. 51,022.5 ha^-1) was found in vermicompost equivalent to 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN). The highest benefit cost ratio (1:3.7) was found in poultry manure equivalent to 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN). The least B:C ratio (1:1.8) was found in vermicompost equivalent to 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN). Maximum net returns and B:C ratio were observed in poultry manure which was mainly due to higher tuberous root yield and lower cost of poultry manure in the above treatments.