Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ALONG WITH BIO-INOCULANTS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SPROUTING BROCCOLI-BRINJAL CROPPING SEQUENCE UNDER MID HILL CONDITIONS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH (H.P), INDIA

Nisha Kumari, V.K. Patel and A.I. Makawana

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in Department of Vegetable Science, Choudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur (Himachal Pradesh) during September, 2006 to September, 2008 to explore the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of sprouting-Broccoli – brinjal cropping sequence. Application of Bio-inoculants as seedling dip (Azotobacter, Azosprillium and Phosphorus Solubilizing bacteria @ 50 g/2.5 L of water) in combination with organic fertilizer (100%,75%,50% nitrogen and phosphorous of the recommended dose) and inorganic manures (FYM 20 tons/ha and vermicompost 10 tons/ha). This integrated application significantly increased marketable yield and its attributing traits and prove better over recommended practice (100% NPK+FYM) whereas, treatments without organic manures resulted in significant reduction in marketable yield and its attributing traits. Among all the three bio-inoculants application of Azospirillum in combination with 100 % NPK (recommended dose) + 20 tons FYM in cropping sequence both year found to be best for obtaining highest yield and growth parameters and highest net returns as well as cost benefit ratio in mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh.