EFFECT OF MULCHES AND NUTRIENT LEVELS ON GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF CAULIFLOWER (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) IN MID HILLS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Date
2012
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ABSTRACT
The present investigation entitled “Effect of mulches and nutrient levels on growth and
productivity of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh” was
carried out at the experimental farm of Department of Soil Science and Water Management, Dr. Y. S.
Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) during 2009-10 and 2010-11.
Twelve treatment combinations comprising four types of mulches viz. black plastic mulch (M1), grass
mulch (M2), pine needles mulch (M3), unmulched control (M0) and three levels of nutrients i.e. F1
(125% of recommended dose of NPK), F2 (recommended dose of NPK) and F3 (75% of recommended
dose of NPK) were replicated thrice in a randomized block design (factorial) in plot size of 3.0 ×2.5 m
and spacing of 60×45 cm. The results revealed that all mulches maintained comparatively higher soil
moisture contents over unmulched control. Among mulches, M1 conserved highest moisture being
39.6-47.0 and 45.3-47.4 per cent higher over M0 in 0-7.5 and 0-15 cm soil depths, respectively. Other
mulches also conserved higher moisture over M0 and followed the order: M1 > M3 > M2 > M0. Mulches
favorably moderated soil temperature and M1 recorded higher temperature during both the years at 7.5
and 15 cm depths and effectiveness of mulches in moderating temperature followed the order: M1 > M3
> M2 > M0 at 7:30 hrs and M1 > M0 > M2 > M3 at 14:30 hrs. Grass and pine needles mulches reduced
the soil bulk density in 0-7.5 cm depth and increased the soil organic carbon. Mulching alongwith
different levels of NPK increased the availability of NPK, Exch. Ca and SO4
2--S as well as leaf nutrient
contents over unmulched control. Weed infestation was significantly checked by mulches. Black plastic
mulch and 125 per cent NPK application together induced plant growth, yield and quality of
cauliflower. Treatment combination M1F1 recorded 88.7 per cent higher curd yield (266.8 q ha-1)
closely followed by M1F2 (83.6%, 259.6 q ha-1) over unmulched control with 75 per cent nutrient level
(M0F3). The seasonal income under the treatments of M1F1, M1F2, M3F1, M3F2, M2F1 and M2F2 was 2.3,
2.2, 2.2, 2.1, 2.0 and 2.0 times higher, respectively, compared to unmulched control with 75 per cent
nutrient level (M0F3).