Abstract
Aims: The organic content in manure helps soil retain moisture, increases gas exchange, and introduces beneficial bacteria, loosens clayey soil, promoting root growth. Soil with a higher organic content is more resistant to erosion and produces superior crops. Using organic manure decreases farming's environmental impact. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, it recycles waste materials, nourishes the soil, and nurtures crops. Methods: This experiment was carried out during Rabi 2023-24 at the Organic Research farm Kargunwan ji, Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh). Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italicaPlenck.) cv. KTS-1 was sown under randomized block design (RBD) with 11 treatment viz., Control, Vermicompost 100%, Cow litter 100%, Pressmud 100%, Vermicompost 75%, Cow litter 75%, Pressmud 75%, Vermicompost 50%+Cow litter 50%, Cow litter 50%+Press mud 50%, Pressmud 50%+Vermi 50%, Pressmud 33%+Cow litter 33%+Vermi 33% with 3 replication accommodating spacing (60 × 45) cm2,plot size (2.4 × 1.8) m = 4.32 m2 with total gross experimental area of (23.5 x 9.6) m = 225.06 m2. Results: Results shows thatat harvest, treatment T10 took to the minimum curd initiation at 53.10 days, compared to the control plot at 68.07 days. Similarly, days to 50% curd initiation and maturity were also shorter in T10, at 67.03 days and 80.13 days, respectively, while the control plot took (78.03 and 96.13) days. Ttreatment T10 produced the largest curd diameter (14.78 cm) and weight (321.03 g), significantly surpassing the control plot (6.37) cm diameter and (138.43) g weight. Overall, T10 yielded (321.03) q/ha, markedly higher than the control plot (138.43) q/ha, demonstrating significant improvements in broccoli yield and quality. Conclusion: The results clearly revealed that the application of organic treatments, particularly T10 (Pressmud 33% + Cow litter 3% + Vermi 33%), significantly enhanced the yield and quality of broccoli. This treatment resulted in faster curd initiation and maturity, larger curd diameter, and increased curd weight compared to the control plot. The findings indicate that the strategic use of organic manure can optimize broccoli production, suggesting a viable approach for improving crop outcomes in sustainable agriculture.
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