Effects of various nutrient sources on performance of cauliflower [Brassica oleracea (L.) var. botrytis] and physicochemical properties of soil at Tanahun, Nepal

Abstract

The study was conducted during winter season of 2017 at the Farmer Farm, Bhanu Municipality10, Tanahun to find out the effects of organic and inorganic nutrients to different growth, developmental characters and yield of cauliflower (Silver cup 60) and soil physico-chemical properties and to ascertain the most suitable sources of fertilizers for cauliflower under agro-climatic and soil conditions of research locality. The five treatments were replicated tree times in a randomized block design. Under growth and developmental characters height of plant, leaf area index, number of leaves, stalk length, leaf weight and root biomass were studied. In yield attributing characters, days to curd formation, curd size, curd height, curd diameter, gross plant weight, net curd weight and yield per hectare were studied. Growth and developmental characters were measured for the four periods at 15 days interval after transplanting. Yield attributing characters were measured at the period of harvesting. For soil physico-chemical properties, soil pH, bulk density, organic matter content, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were analyzed before and after the crop period. Amongst the different sources of fertilizers application, T3 having poultry manures as sources of nutrients was the best with respect to growth and developments, yield, quality of cauliflower and soil physico-chemical properties. The second-best fertility treatment was T5 having recommended dose of NPK fertilizer over most of the traits of cauliflower. On the other hand, the significantly lowest values on performance of cauliflower were obtained from T1 treatment having no application of any sources of fertilizers.