TRIPATHI, D.VERMA, ANJALI2016-11-282016-11-28201548368http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/87912ABSTRACT Emphasis on the fertilizer application rate, source, liming and nutrient balance is critical for achieving good productivity of the crop. The work on fertigation has been carried out mainly on the flat lands having high productivity and assured irrigation. Such findings cannot be replicated to vegetable crops raised on steep slopes/ undulating topography, especially in Himalayan region. The present studies were therefore, undertaken during 2014-15 to investigate the effect of drip fertigation on nutrient availability, quality and yield of cauliflower. The field experiments were laid out in randomized block design with four replications and six fertigation levels (100, 90, 80, 70, 60 and 110 per cent of recommended dose). Fertigation with recommended dose of fertilizer resulted in highest available N (365.3 kg ha-1), P (95.8 kg ha-1) and K (477.8 kg ha-1). Drip fertigation with recommended dose increased the available Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn content by 8, 29, 21 and 40 per cent, respectively over 60% RD treatment. Fertigation with recommended dose significantly, increased the curd weight and curd yield by 17.8 and 17.9 per cent over 60% RD. Drip fertigation with recommended dose increased the NPK uptake by about 45.6, 35.4 and 31.9 percent over 60% RD treatment. The highest benefit cost ratio (B:C) was recorded under 100 per cent recommended dose (3:75:1) and closely followed by 110 per cent (3.56:1). The study suggests that application of recommended dose of fertilizer through drip irrigation in splits leads to higher and sustainable cauliflower production.enThesis