Growth, Yield and Quality of Cauliflower as Influenced by Different Sources of Nutrients and Mulching in Indo- Gangatic Plains of Western Uttar Pradesh
Amit Kumar *
Department of Horticulture, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut-250110, India.
Mukesh Kumar
Department of Horticulture, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut-250110, India.
Bijendra Singh
Department of Horticulture, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut-250110, India.
Manoj Kumar Singh
Department of Horticulture, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut-250110, India.
S. P. Singh
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut-250110, India.
Rajat Singh
Department of Horticulture, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut-250110, India.
Rajendra Kumar
Department of Agronomy, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut-250110, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A field experiment was carried out at Horticulture Research Center of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology Meerut, (UP) India during rabi season 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively with entitled “Effect of different sources of nutrients and mulching on sustainable production of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) cv. Pusa Ashwani”. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and eleven treatments. The results showed that plants treated with integrated application of inorganic fertilizer, Vermicompost, Azotobacter, PSB (Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria), Black mulch (2.5 mm) proved significantly better over the recommended practice 100% RDF (Recommended doses of fertilizer) and control. However, plants treated without organic manures and inorganic fertilizers resulted in significant reduction for various growth, yield and quality parameters. Among the treatments, plants fortified with application of 50% RDF + 15 t/ha Vermicompost + Azotobacter (5 kg/ha) + PSB (5kg/ha) + Black mulch (2.5 mm) was found to better growth, yield and quality for both years.
Keywords: Cauliflower, RDF, PSB, mulching, bio-fertilizers and vermicompost.