Integrated nutrient management of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)
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Date
2019
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CCSHAU
Abstract
A field experiment entitled “Integrated nutrient management of fennel”, conducted during Rabi season
of 2016-17 and 2017-18 at Research Farm of Department of Vegetable Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural
University, Hisar. It comprised of 16 treatment levels of fennel in recommended block design with three
replications. The main objectives were to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and seed
yield of fennel, to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on seed quality, to study the relative
storability of seed produced under various treatment combination, to calculate the economics of various
treatments. Growth parameters of fennel crop were significantly affected by the organic and inorganic fertilizer.
Maximum plants height and number of branches were observed in treatment T11: (100%) RDF + Azotobacter +
PSB. Days to 50 per cent flowering clearly indicated that this factor was not significantly affected by none of the
integrated nutrient management treatment. The pooled range of days to 50 per cent flowering was 126.1 (T11) RDF
(100%) + Azotobacter + PSB to 119.8 (T16) control. Almost all the treatments were equal in days to 50 per cent
flowering in fennel. Recommended dose of fertilizer along with Azotobacter + PBS (T11) resulted into significantly
more number of days to maturity (173.7, 169.50) during 2016-17 and 2017-18. The pooled mean value was 171.6
days. Under control conditions (T16), minimum days to maturity were observed (147.8) on the basis of pooled
mean analysis. Yield attributes like number of umbels/plant (57.57), number of umbelets/umbel (33.33), number of
seeds/umbel (613.67), number of seeds/umbelets (30.52), seed yield/plant (74.93), seed yield (2039.9 kg/ha),
biological yield (6965 kg/ha), harves t index (32. 08) etc. were highest in treatment T11 : (100%) RDF +
Azotobacter + PSB per hectare.
Seed quality parameters like test weight (g), seed density (g/cc), standard germination (%), seedling
length (cm), seedling dry weight (g), vigour index- (I&II), accelerated ageing, enzyme activity (DHA & SOD), field
emergence index, seedling establishment were found significantly highest in treatment T9 : (100%) RDN through
vermicopost + Azotobacter + PSB. The lowest value found in treatment T16 : control. After accelerated ageing for
24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours the seed received from the treatment T9 : 100% RDN through vermicompost +
Azotobacter + PSB showed highest standard germination (%), seedling length, seedling dry weight and seed
vigour indices (I&II). The lowest value of electrical conductivity at 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours (144.8, 233.0,
353.1, 497.7, 697.78 S cm-1 g-1) was observed in treatment T9 : 100% RDN through vermicompost + Azotobacter
+ PSB the same treatments while the highest value was observed in (T16) control (190.1, 302.9, 434.1, 602.2, 841.8
S cm-1 g-1). The maximum net return (Rs.119302.7/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (2.08) was obtained from the
treatment T11 : 100% RDF + Azotobacter + PSB because of higher seed yield and more availability of nutrients
from the inorganic nitrogen sources. The minimum net return (Rs. 43476.7/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (1.41)
obtained from the treatment T16 : control.
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