Response of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) to integrated nutrient management

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Experimental Farm, Nagaland University, Medziphema campus, Nagaland during rabi season of 2019-2020 to study the response of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) to integrated nutrient management.The 12 treatments were evaluated in RBD with three replications. Results revealed that application of different levels of fertilizes and organic manures either alone or in combination significantly increased the growth, yield and quality of broccoli as compared to control. Application of full dose of RDF exhibited maximum plant height (50.3 cm), number of leaves (18.2), stem diameter (20.7 mm), plant spread (69.2 cm), ascorbic acid content (60.9 mg 100-1 g), protein content in head (1.58%) and yield (8.20 t ha-1). However, these parameters were found statistically at par with poultry manure 2.5 t ha-1 + ½ of RDF. There was a significant build up of organic carbon and available nutrients in post harvest soil with INM practices and maximum values of organic carbon (19.0 g kg-1), available P (20.9 kg ha-1) were recorded and available K (171.2 kg ha-1) with poultry manure 2.5 t ha-1 + ½ of RDF. While maximum value of available nitrogen (221.6 kg ha-1) in post harvest soil was recorded with full dose of RDF as inorganics. The highest net return (Rs. 1,96,145.51)along with benefit: cost ratio (2.16) were recorded in full dose of RDF followed by poultry manure 2.5 t ha-1 + ½ of RDF with net return of Rs.1,81220.35 and cost benefit ratio of 1.90.