Effect of different organic nutrient sources on growth, yield and quality of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) and post-harvest available NPK in soil

Abstract

Field investigation was conducted at Bahadari Farm, College of Horticulture, Mandsaur during Rabi season 2020-21. Eleven treatment viz., T₁ - 30 t/ha farmyard manure, T₂ - 20 t/ha Poultry Manure, T₃ - 10 t/ha vermicompost, T₄ - 30 t/ha farmyard manure + Azotobacter + PSB  + KMB, T₅ - 20 t/ha poultry manure + Azotobacter + PSB + KMB, T₆ - 10 t/ha vermicompost + Azotobacter + PSB + KMB, T₇  - 20 t/ha farmyard manure + Azotobacter + PSB + KMB + Panchagavya, T₈  - 15 t/ha poultry manure + Azotobacter + PSB+ KMB + Panchagavya, T₉  - 5 t/ha vermicompost + Azotobacter + PSB + KMB + Panchagavya, T₁₀  - 10 t/ha farmyard manure + 5 t/ha poultry manure + 2.5 t/ha vermicompost + Azotobacter + PSB + KMB + Panchagavya, T₁₁ - RDF-120 kg N + 80 kg P₂O₅ + 60 kg K₂O/ha were laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Observation were recorded on growth, yield and quality attributes. It was concluded that the application of 10 t/ha farmyard manure + 5 t/ha poultry manure + 2.5 t/ha vermicompost+ Azotobacter + PSB + KMB + panchagavya (T₁₀) was superior in terms of growth attributes and highest yield attributes as well as quality parameters. Treatment 10 t/ha farmyard manure + 5 t/ha poultry manure + 2.5 t/ha vermicompost+ Azotobacter + PSB + KMB + panchagavya (T₁₀) had secured highest net profit as well as B: C ratio. The treatment 10 t/ha farmyard manure + 5 t/ha poultry manure + 2.5 t/ha vermicompost + Azotobacter + PSB + KMB + panchagavya (T₁₀) had registered a significantly higher NPK content in curd and plant of cauliflower as well as NPK uptake by curd and plant with maximum availability of NPK in soil after harvesting. Hence, treatment T₁₀ is superior and may be adopted for more profitable and commercial cultivation of cauliflower cv. Snowball K-1.