Economic and social status of survey participants
The survey study series has brought out the main demographic and agricultural trends of the marigold farmers in the area. The majority of the farmers are males 91.67%, most of them fall in the age range of 30–40 years 45.83%, and their educational background varies, though a greater part of them had education up to Class 6-SSC 37.50%. It was observed that most marigold cultivation is done on plots of land ranging from 2–5 acres; 43.75% thus prefer medium-sized farming operations. Also, 41.67% of farmers in the study area have been into marigold farming for 6–10 years, showing consistency in this type of horticulture. (Table 02). The results again highlight that specific agricultural policies are required, addressing gender inequalities, improving educational enhancement, and land-use intensification, in order to enhance the sustainability and productivity of marigold farming in Jashore District.
Overview of practices in marigold farming
The paper, therefore, focuses on the sources of planting materials, cost of pest management, and the benefit-cost analysis arising out of marigold cultivation in the Jashore District, Bangladesh, which would provide useful information to depict ways of improving agriculture practices and economic returns. It is observed from the result that a higher percentage of farmer’s source planting materials from nurseries 41.67 percent followed by direct importers 29.17 percent. This would point to a reliance on more established and possibly better-quality providers, thus having a better effect on plant health and yields.
During land preparation, farmyard manure is applied at a rate of 2,500 kg per hectare. A basal dose of TSP, gypsum, boron, zinc, urea, and MOP is also incorporated. Extra applications of phosphorus and potassium are mixed with nitrogen, boron, and zinc and applied 20 days following pruning. More noticeable is the focus on pest management, costing 3,700 taka per year for every bigha, wherein major costs include disease control, which goes for 1,100 Tk; insect control goes for 1,300 Tk, and weed control goes for 800 Tk. This also shows that the priorities of IPM strategies are eminently important and urgently called for to minimize costs and further reduce environmental impact.
The total cultivation cost amounts to 20,400 Tk. This includes the cost of land preparation, planting material, weeding, irrigation, pesticide, and harvesting expenses at a per bigha basis of per year. The benefit-cost analysis has come out to be highly profitable, representing the total income of 75,000 Tk. per bigha yearly, hence giving a net profit of 54,600 Tk. per bigha annually. This good return on investment points to the economic viability of marigold cultivation, with the implication that further optimization of agronomic practices and resource management will further increase productivity and sustainability.
The study also points out the potential contribution of marigold farming to rural development and improvement of livelihoods of farmers. It enumerates that there is a need for specific interventions on the availability of high-quality planting materials and training in IPM techniques, among others, which are necessary for mitigation of the rather high initial costs.
Perspectives from farmers: Occurrence, sources, and management strategies for marigold diseases
The present study undertakes a detailed analysis of the origins of diseases in marigold crops, management strategies used by farmers, support services received by them, and their perceptions of better management approaches. As found out in this study, the major sources of disease mentioned by farmers were local planting materials at 25%, followed by soil-borne pathogens at 20.83%, seedlings at 18.75%, and imported seeds at 16.67%. The minor ones were imbalanced fertilizers, irrigation water, and unspecified origins. This certainly calls for urgent need to improve the quality of the planting materials considering the high prevalence of diseases emanating from local planting materials.
As concerns control methods, the survey revealed that 33.33% relies on pesticides, followed by treatment of planting materials at 25% and resistant varieties at 20.83%. Only 14.58% of them followed cultural practices and control measures, IPM strategies, and other methods coming in last. For this reason, the dependence on chemical controls brings about environmental and health effects; hence, there is a need to raise awareness on the adoption of sustainable alternatives.
In terms of support services, the most prevailing means of support were visits by extension officers, standing at 37.50%. This shows the strong need for direct contact on the ground. Meetings with field-level officers also played a very important role, while access to expert suggestions and field days was less frequent. A small percentage of farmers received field demonstrations at 8.33%, which reflects those areas in which outreach can be extended further. The relatively small proportion of expert advice being given to farmers suggests a greater need for accessible expertise and support.
Farmers gave several suggestions for the better management of diseases. Healthy planting material use came out as the highest recommendation at 31.25%, followed by frequent field visits at 22.91%. This therefore postulates a high disposition towards one-time prevention measures and follow-up support. The other dominating recommendations include the effective use of pesticides at 16.67% and proper inter-culture practices at 14.58%. A few responses also highlighted further research on disease management at 6.25%, to mean that perhaps the current levels of knowledge and practice may not be adequate. The recommendation of disease-resistant varieties stands at 8.33%, which goes in agreement with the farmers' practices.
Overall, these results of this survey indicate that the marigold farmers of Jashore District are concerned about the improvement in quality of planting materials and control of diseases. Their dependency is there on chemical pesticides; but at the same time, strong interest also exists in sustainable measures like disease-resistant varieties and improvement of planting material quality. While this is essential support from the extension officers, there is definitely a dire need for more expertly deeper guidance and research that would help in bringing out proper disease management solutions. Meeting these needs would ultimately bring more productive and sustainable farming of marigold in the region.
Perspectives from farmers: Ensuring safety, applying nutrients, and utilizing growth enhancers for marigold cultivation
These high response rates for specific inputs indicate their perceived effectiveness and importance within growers' practices, representing both traditional and modern agricultural techniques. Neem oil is highly recognized for its broad-spectrum effectiveness against a wide range of pests; it is organic and therefore less hazardous to the environment and beneficial insects than synthetic chemicals. Its popularity is an indication that growers recognize its advantages within integrated pest management systems.
On the other hand, Malathion and Imidacloprid also show high response rates at 87.5% and 70.83%, respectively, since they have a wide spectrum of action against many types of pests. Contrasting with this, the response rates for Endosulfan and Carbofuran can be as low as 45.83% and 25%, respectively, due to the fact that their toxicity and persistence in the environment raised restrictions from regulatory bodies and health concerns. The high response rate for Tricyclazole, 91.67%, underlines its importance in the management of fungal diseases, especially in humid countries like Bangladesh, where the attack of fungi is very common. Mancozeb and Carbendazim are also fairly frequently used due to their broad-spectrum activity and preventive properties. On the other hand, the low response rate of Chlorothalonil, which accounted for 31.25%, may mean lower efficacy or acceptance due to potential environmental hazards and health risks.
Atrazine (72.92%) is also highly used due to its wide spectrum of activity, which has a huge implication on the health and yield of marigold crops. However, the main constraint to its wider acceptance may be its persisting nature in the environment and its contamination of water sources, whereas Oxyfluorfen was used only by 52.08%, probably because farmers like it more for specific weed problems and its lower environmental effect.
The unanimous use of cow dung, urea, and TSP (response rate: 100%) shows that the farmers consider these as important for soil fertility and providing essential nutrients to plants. Cow dung is considered vital because it contains organic matter that enhances the structure of the soil and increases microbial activities within the soil. Urea acts as an available source of nitrogen, whereas TSP is a phosphorus source crucial for root and floral development in plants. The high consumption of boron (83.33%) and zinc (91.67%) indicates that growers are quite aware of the deficiencies of micronutrients, which can severely weaken the health and productivity of plants. Boron is required for cell wall development and reproductive growth, whereas zinc is needed for the biological activity of enzymes and hormone regulation.
Although the response rate is 66.67%, it is known that GA3 promotes stem elongation, flower development, and overall growth enhancement. Ornamental plants like marigolds require this for reaching optimal marketable quality. The favor shown to some products by the interviewed can be scientifically justified on the basis of its efficacy and safety as well as ecological impact. The high use of neem oil is in tune with the concept of sustainable agriculture, thereby decreasing the demand on synthetic chemicals for pest control and keeps the ecosystem in balance.
This trend reflects the need for efficient management of diseases and weeds in Bangladesh's humid climate, which exacerbates both. The use of essential fertilizers and micronutrients is indispensable to maintain soil fertility and ensure balanced nutrient availability, a prerequisite for high-yield, high-quality marigold production. Application of GA3 is an example of comprehension in plant physiology and the role growth regulators will play in optimizing crops.