Effect of Organic Manure and Inorganic Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)

Abstract

The investigation entitled, “Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) cv. Snowball-16” was undertaken at the Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agriculture & Natural Sciences, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur. during Rabi season 2022-2023. Seven treatments were used laid out in the randomized block design with three replications in this experiment. It is apparent from the results obtained that the vegetative parameters viz., number of leaves per plant, plant height, the spread of the plant, the diameter of the stem, number of days required for curd initiation and curd maturity, curd size and total biomass production per plant have been significantly influenced by the potential treatments. The maximum number of leaves per plant (20.54) was recorded under the influence of the treatment T4 (50%RDF along with 50%vermicompost). The integration of organic and inorganic nutrient sources in a way such that an equal proportion of nitrogen being supplied by them documented superior results. Treatment T4 resulted in maximum plant height (21.16 cm), the spread of plant (49.38 cm), diameter of the stem (2.82 cm), reduced number of days for curd initiation (68.53 days) and maturity (99.23 days), curd size (18.74 cm) and total biomass production (33.67 g) per plant when compared to control (T1). Yield parameters viz., net weight of curd (1660.57 g), curd yield per plot (38.81 kg) and yield per hectare (421.35q /ha) showed preponderance in response to 50% RDF along with 50% vermicompost, succeeded by treatment involving the integration of 50% RDF along with 50% FYM, which also showed lead response as result obtained in control.