Effect of biofertilizers and micronutrients on growth and quality attributes of cabbage (<em>Brassica oleracea</em> var. <em>capitata</em> L.)

Abstract

The present field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2016-17 and 2017-18 at the Experimental Farm, Department of Vegetable Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, (HP). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) Factorial with three replications comprising of fourteen treatment combinations having two levels of biofertilizers i.e. B0= No biofertilizers & B1= Biofertilizers (Azotobacter + PSB + KSB) and seven levels of micronutrients viz., M0= No micronutrient, M1= Boric acid @ 0.5%, M2= Zinc sulphate @ 0.5%, M3= Ferrous sulphate @ 0.5%, M4= Manganese sulphate @ 0.5%, M5= Ammonium molybdate @ 0.5%, M6= Multiplex @ 0.5%. The results revealed that growth attributes and quality status of cabbage were found significantly increased with the application of biofertilizers and micronutrients. The minimum number of days to 50 per cent head maturity (67.50) was recorded in treatment combination B1M1 (Biofertilizers + Boric acid 0.5%). The significantly maximum polar diameter (13.75 cm) and maximum equatorial diameter (13.36 cm) was recorded in treatment combination B1M3 (Biofertilizers + Ferrous sulphate 0.5%). Maximum TSS (5.72 ˚Brix) was observed in treatment combination B1M1 (Biofertilizers + Boric acid 0.5%). However, maximum Vitamin C content (59.97 mg/100 g) was recorded in treatment combination B1M2 (Biofertilizers + Zinc sulphate 0.5%).