Comparative Performance of Different Organic Nutrient Management Schedules on Growth, Physiological and Yield Attributes of Sprouting Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)

Abstract

Farmers rely on conventional farming methods and lack knowledge of organic farming. However, conventional methods undoubtedly produce good yields, and there is a scope for improving the quantity and quality of broccoli through the use of organic manures and biofertilizers. This study was carried out to improve the productivity of organic sprouting broccoli by assessing the response of various organic nutrient schedules containing enriched farmyard manure, vermicompost and poultry manure as basal and top-dressing during the winter seasons of 2018-19 and 2019-20 at Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, West Bengal, India. The experiment consisted of 8 treatment combinations and included a randomized block design with 3 replications. The results of the study showed that the use of enriched poultry manure @ 5 t/ha as basal fertilizer + enriched poultry manure @ 1 t/ha as top dressing (T4) significantly enhanced broccoli plant growth in terms of the greatest plant height (58.04 cm) and number of leaves per plant (19.83), and leaf chlorophyll content (86.61). However, the application of enriched vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha along with enriched poultry manure @ 2.5 t/ha as basal + top dressing of enriched vermicompost @ 0.5 t/ha along with enriched poultry manure @ 0.5 t/ha each (T7) significantly improved the head yield (20.47 t/ha) of organic broccoli.