Impact of bio-fertilizers and zinc on biochemical parameters of sprouting broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L. Plenck) under Lucknow conditions

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted at Horticultural Research Farm of the Department of Applied Plant Science (Horticulture), Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Vidya-Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow - 226025 (U.P.), India during Rabi season of 2016-17. The experiment comprised of 16 treatment combinations with four levels of each bio-fertilizers (Control, Azotobacter, PSB and Azotobacter+ PSB) and Zinc (Control, 10, 20 and 30 kg/ha) in randomized block design with three replications. The application of Azotobacter +PSB resulted in the maximum and significantly more values of quality attributes viz., TSS (12.280Brix), Ascorbic Acid (84.01 mg/100g), Total sugars (3.86%), Reducing sugar (2.90 %) and Non-reducing sugar (0.87%) as compared to control. Similarly, the application of 30 kg zinc/ha resulted in the maximum and significantly more values of quality attributes viz. TSS (12.720Brix), Ascorbic Acid (87.31 mg/100 g), Total sugars (3.44%), Reducing sugar (2.66 %) and Non-reducing sugar (0.75 %). It is recommended for quality attributes of sprouting broccoli under Lucknow conditions.