Effect of integrated nutrient management on yield, nitrogen use efficiency and economics of sprouting broccoli, and soil health in the Terai region of West Bengal

Abstract

A two-year field experiment was carried out to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on broccoli cultivation and soil health during the rabi season of 2016-17 and 2017-18, at the Instructional farm of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India. The experiment consisted of ten treatments with three replications laid in a randomized block design (RBD). The treatments consisted of different doses of vermicompost, cowdung manure, chemical fertilizer, vermiwash, and biofertilizer. The results obtained revealed that application of vermicompost 25% + cow dung manure 25% + chemical fertilizer 50%+ vermiwash + biofertilizer (T9) for sprouting broccoli gave the highest yield 17.82 t/ha, B: C ratio 2.08, and physiological nitrogen use efficiency 61.59 kg/kg. The treatment also improved the soil available nutrient content and improved the microbial count compared to the sole application of chemical fertilizer.