Study conjoint application of organic amendments on yield, quality and economics of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. L. botrytis)

In India huge quantity of chemical fertilizers are used for obtained higher production. Due to unwanted use of synthetic fertilizers, it reduces the soil fertility day by day as well as spoiling the ecosystem and apart chemically produce vegetables, which we all consume enter in our food chain which cause serious disease in humans such as endocrine disruptors, respiratory disease like asthma, cancer, depression etc. Therefore, to improve the soil fertility and environmental conditions the experiment was carried at out at Agricultural research farm, Department of Horticulture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, during winter season of 2020-21, by using Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Therefore, the present study shows the positive impact of combined application of different organic amendments on yield and quality parameters of cauliflower. Result indicated that, T₈ performe best i.e., (T₈- 3.8 t/ha vermicompost + 5 kg/ha azotobacter + 5 kg/ha VAM + 5% panchagavya) which significantly influence the yield parameters such: curd weight (703.83 g) which was at par with T₇ (646.25 g) followed by T₉ (622.08), T₆ (580.33 g), further followed by T₃ (576.41 g)in comparison to control (501.33 g). Whereas the highest curd diameter also observed under T₈ (11.27cm) which was at par with T₇ (9.28 cm), followed by T₆ (9.03 cm) and further followed by T₄ (8.76 cm). T₈ also gives highest curd length (16.45 cm) which was at par with T₇ (15.19 cm) followed by T₆ (14.79 cm) or T₃ (14.06 cm), respectively. The maximum curd yield (367.41 q/ha) was recorded under T₈ which was at par with T₇ (337.31 q/ha) followed by T₉ (324.37 q/ha) or followed by T₆ (303.13 q/ha), respectively. The minimum result observed under control. Quality parameters like ascorbic acid (54.67 mg/100g) followed by T₇ (51.14 mg/100g) and TSS (5.13°Brix). Also, T₈ was found the most profitable treatment in cauliflower with highest net return (Rs 6,95,699 /ha) with benefit cost ratio (18.55) followed by T₇ having net return (Rs. 6,35007) with benefit cost ration (17.02). Whereas, minimum benefit cost ration was recorded under T₁. Therefore, the present study also revealed that, organic cultivation gives more profit with minimum environmental degradation with higher productivity.