The Effect of Integrated Nitrogen and Mulching on Growth, Yield and Quality Characteristics of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) cv. Palam Samridhi

Abstract

Broccoli is an important cole crop, widely grown in India. The excessive use of inorganic fertilizer, resulting in infertility of soil and chemically toxic agricultural by-products, is one of the most limiting factors affecting the quality production and productivity of the crop. To evaluate the effect of different organic and inorganic nitrogen sources and the application of different mulching materials on productivity and quality aspects of broccoli cv Palam Samridhi, the experiment was conducted for two years during 2021-22 and 2022-23. Among the treatments, the highest plant height (36.12cm), leaf length (22.39cm), leaf width (13.30), stem diameter (2.5), plant spread (1687.60cm2), head weight (367.75g), head yield/ha (254.43q/ha), moisture (91.65%), TSS (8.10°B), head dry matter (12.54%) and protein (3.65%) were recorded in treatment N₅M₂ (50% Nitrogen with Urea (108kg/ha) along with 50% Nitrogen utilizing Poultry Manure (1.5t/ha) and black polythene mulch) and quality traits such as highest chlorophyll (19.83%) in N₃M₂ (50% N Urea(108kg/ha)+50% N FYM (10t/ha) + Black Polythene mulch). In contrast, Proline (36.58%) were recorded in treatment N4M1 (50% N Urea (108kg/ha) +50% N Vermicompost (4t/ha) + Paddy Straw mulch), which was found superior overall individual treatments and their combination.