Yield and quality response of cabbage (Brassica oleracea) var. Pride of India to nitrogen and biofertilizers

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of nitrogen and biofertilizers on growth, yield and quality of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) var. Pride of India in rabi season during 2010–11 at Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar. The experiment consisted of 17 treatment viz. four levels of nitrogen (control, 100 kg, 125 kg and 150 kg) and three doses of biofertilizers (Azotobacter, Azospirillium and PSB) in combination with nitrogen levels, while the control was laid out in simple randomized block design with three replications. The treatment T16 (150 kg N + PSB) recorded maximum plant height (24.64 cm), head diameter (97.49 mm), average weight of head/plant (0.877 kg), volume of head (1.079 cc), yield of heads (432.92 q/ha), TSS (7.53%), ascorbic acid content (34.73 mg/100 g) and total chlorophyll content (0.786 mg/g). However, it was statistically at par with 150 kg N + Azospirillium (T12) and 150 kg N + Azotobacter (T8) inoculation. The application of nitrogen and biofertilizers under the treatment combination 150 kg N + Azospirillium exhibited maximum available nitrogen content in soil after harvesting, which was significantly higher over the control. The application of nitrogen and biofertilizers under the treatment combination 150 kg N + PSB had significant effect on yield and yield attributes and quality parameters. The maximum net return of ` 3,00,022.2/ha with benefit: cost ratio (6.48:1) was obtained with the treatment combination of 150 kgN +PSB and the minimum net profit of ` 1,29,704.3/ha (absolute control) and 1,38,662.3/ha (the control).