Research Article

Effect of integrated nutrient management on the cauliflower yield and soil properties

Prabin Chaudhary¹, Prakash Khanal^2*, Keshab Raj Pande¹, Kishor Chandra Dahal¹, Bhaba Prasad Tripathi¹, Pujan Khanal³, Katapyu Chaulagain² and Pawan Dhakal¹

¹Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Kritipur, Kathmandu, Nepal

²Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Prithu Technical College, Lamahi, Dang Deukhuri, Nepal

³Rama University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

*Corresponding author e-mail: prakash.khanal744@gmail.com

(Received: 21/02/2024; Revised: 28/04/2024; Accepted: 15/05/2024; Published: 20/06/2024)

ABSTRACT

Cauliflower is one of the most important and preferred vegetables and effective nutrient management is essential to improve production as well as soil properties. Thus, the study was conducted to examine the impact of integrated nutrient management on cauliflower and soil at Ghorahi, Dang district of Nepal. The single-factor experiment was organized employing a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. In this study, nitrogen (N) was applied through different sources viz 100% N via urea, 50% N via urea + 50% N via farmyard manure, 50% N  via urea + 50% N via pig manure, 50% N via urea + 50% N via vermicompost,  50% N via urea + 25% N via farmyard manure + 25% N via pig manure, 50% N via urea + 25% N via pig manure + 25% N via vermicompost, 50% N via urea + 25% N via farm yard manure + 25% N via vermicompost and 50% N via urea + 50% N via (farmyard manure +  pig manure + vermicmpost in 1:1:1). Among different treatments, 50% N via urea + 50% N via vermicompost recorded the highest curd diameter (17.72 cm), curd height (11.57 cm), curd weight (0.76 kg), curd yield per hectare (31.67 t ha^-1), soil organic matter (3.31%), total nitrogen (0.157%), available phosphorus (76.78 kg ha^-1) as well as available potassium (860.20 kg ha^-1). Therefore, it is suggested to apply 50% N via urea and 50% N via vermicompost for better cauliflower production and soil properties.

Keywords: Integrated nutrient management, cauliflower, yield, soil properties.