Effect of different sources of plant nutrients on growth, yield and quality of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.var. pekinensis)

Abstract

The experiment was laid out in RCBD with seven different treatments. The experiment A field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2014 at Experimental Farm of Division of Vegetable Science, SKUAST-K, Shalimar to find out the effect of different sources of nutrients on growth, yield and quality attributes of Chinese cabbage. comprised of two organic manures (Sheep manure and Vermicompost), three types of bio-fertilizers (Azotobacter, PSB and KSB) and inorganic fertilizers in the form of Urea, DAP and MOP. The overall treatments of the experiment were divided into three sets viz. (i) Complete nutrients through organic manures plus bio-fertilizers (T2 – T3), (ii) Half of the nutrients through inorganic fertilizers and half through organic manures (T4 – T5), and (iii) Half of the nutrients through inorganic fertilizers and half through organic manures plus bio-fertilizers (T6 – T7). Recommended dose of nutrients (NPK @ 100:50:30 kg/ha) through inorganic fertilizers was taken for comparison (T1). Observations were recorded on growth, yield and quality parameters. The maximum plant height (30.33 cm), fresh weight of plant (1170 g), dry weight of plant (65.43 g), number of folded leaves (30.32), number of unfolded leaves (13.33), days to head initiation (19.33), head diameter (6.50 cm), head length (21.16 cm), head compactness (1.89 z) head weight (613.33 g), head yield (45.42 t/ha), total leaf chlorophyll (8.73 mg/100g), total soluble solids (6.50 brix) and vitamin C (27.33 mg/100g) were observed for the plants grown with the application of vermicompost along with bio-fertilizers (T3).