Economic profitability analysis of husk tomato (Physalis ixocarpa Brot. ex Hornem.) under different silicon dioxide concentrations

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different doses of foliar and soil silicon dioxide fertilization on the economic profitability of husk tomato (Physalis ixocarpa Brot. ex Hornem.) cv. 'Querétaro' cultivation under plastic paddings and macro-tunnel conditions. Design/methodology/approach: Ten treatments were evaluated at different concentrations of silicon dioxide fertilization on soil and foliar application: T1: Control treatment (T), T2: Fertilization with silicon dioxide 20, 40, 60 g on soil and 100, 150, and 200 ppm foliar (S20/100F), T3: S20/150F, T4: S20/200F, T5: S40/100F, T6: S40/150F, T7: S40/200F, T8: S60/100F, T9: S60/150F and T10: S60/200, distributed in random blocks. Economic profitability indicators such as Benefit/Cost ratio (B/C), Net Present Value (NPV), and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) were determined. Results: The research established that the S60/150F treatment was the one with the highest economic profitability because it promoted the highest production per hectare, which was reflected in the NPV (MX$ 336,932.97 pesos), the IRR (77.3 %), and a B/C of MX$ 1.16 pesos. Also, treatments S40/200F and S60/100F (where SiO2 was applied) reported positive cash flow, unlike the T. Limitations of the study/implications: With all research facilities closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no evidence related to the contribution of foliar and soil silicon bioassay has been verified. Findings/conclusions: Using SiO2 leads to a financial appreciable rebound of vital importance to be included in economic studies to facilitate the efficient management of the available capital to establish a crop whose field productivity is profitable for the producers.