Effect of different organic nutrient levels on growth, yield and quality in cauliflower

A field experiment was conducted during two Rabi seasons at Organic Experimental Block of IIHR farm, Hessaraghatta, Bengaluru to study the effect of different levels of organic manures and conventional practices on growth, yield and quality of cauliflower. The trial included five levels of organic manure nutrient and two inorganic nutrient supplies. The treatment which received recommended dose of farm yard manure along with recommended NPK produced the highest mean curd yield (21.23 t/ha) followed by the treatments, which received 100 and 75 per cent recommended dosage of nitrogen (RDN) through organics (19.36 and 18.42 t/ha). The same treatment also recorded higher values for growth and yield parameters like number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area index, curd diameter and curd weight. Quality parameters in terms of total antioxidant capacity, radical scavenging ability, total flavonoids and vitamin C were better with integrated nutrient management as compared to chemical fertilizers only.