Effect of nitrification inhibitors on quality, yield and economics of cauliflower cv. PSB K1 in Typic Eutrochrept under mid hills of North Western Himalayas

Abstract

The study was focused on identification of potentially effective and environmentally feasible nitrification inhibitors for cauliflower in order to minimize the losses of applied N fertilizers under mid hill conditions. Field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (2018–19 & 2019–20) on late sown cauliflower cv. Pusa Snowball K1 with eight different doses of inhibitors supplemented with NPK fertilizers and farmyard manure (FYM) in Randomized Block Design (RBD) replicated thrice. Results showed that recommended dose of fertilizer [N, P & K (125:76:72 kg/ha)] with neem cake (20 g/kg soil) + FYM (250 q/ha) registered maximum pooled NPK concentration in curd (3.40, 0.69 & 1.93%), leaf (2.85, 0.49 & 1.86%) and root (1.34, 0.35 & 1.24%). Maximum plant NPK uptake (95.4, 29.4 & 61.4 kg/ha) and curd yield (283.97 q/ha) on pooled basis was recorded under the similar treatment, the results were comparable to CaC2 treatment with NPK uptake of 92, 28 & 58 kg/ha, respectively and curd yield of 278.90 q/ha. Application of neem cake resulted in highest soil NH4 +-N accumulation (137.71 kg/ha) with comparatively lower NO3 --N retention (46.18 kg/ha). Regarding economics, maximum net returns (Rs/ha 4,36,662) with a highest benefit: cost ratio of 3.89 was registered under melia application@ 20 g/kg soil. Besides neem cake, melia provided better results on crop growth over pomegranate application. Therefore, two years of field study identified neem cake and melia as prominent and cost effective nitrification inhibitor module for cauliflower under mid hilly conditions.