Effect of Organic Manures and Biofertilizers on the Growth and Quality of Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024–25 at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, to assess the effect of organic manures and biofertilizers on the growth, yield, quality, and economics of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.). The experiment comprised eleven treatments including control, recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, neem cake, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and their various combinations, laid out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications. Results revealed that growth parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf biomass, and days to harvest were significantly influenced by nutrient management practices. The integrated application of vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha⁻¹ + PSB @ 1.25 kg ha⁻¹ recorded the highest plant height (31.45 cm), leaf area (1053.67 cm²), and leaf biomass (5.31 g plant⁻¹), along with early maturity (78.52 days). Yield attributes including root length, root diameter, root weight, and root yield were maximized under the same treatment, producing the highest root yield (17.49 t ha⁻¹) and harvest index (86.33%). Quality of beetroot, measured in terms of total soluble solids, was also significantly improved, with the maximum TSS (21.13 °Brix) recorded under integrated organic treatment. Economic analysis indicated that vermicompost combined with PSB was the most profitable, recording the highest net returns (₹3,48,650 ha⁻¹) and benefit–cost ratio (3.94). The study demonstrates that integrated organic nutrient management is a sustainable and economically viable strategy for beetroot cultivation.