Impact of agronomic practices on soil parameters in broccoli under Agro-climatic zone-II of Himachal Pradesh

Field experiment with thirteen treatments comprised of three dates of transplanting, two mulching and two irrigation levels was laid out in 2021-22. The use of black poly mulch in main, mid, and late season transplanting with irrigation and rainfed conditions had a significant impact on organic carbon content, DTPA extractable micronutrient cations, and available boron content of the soil in broccoli. The maximum organic carbon was recorded in mid-season transplanted broccoli with mulch in rainfed conditions. DTPA extractable Cu, Zn, Mn and available boron was maximum under late season transplanted broccoli with mulch in irrigated conditions. The DTPA extractable Fe was in main season transplanted broccoli with mulch in rainfed conditions. However, treatments without mulch in main, mid and late season transplanting with irrigation and rainfed conditions significantly affected the pH, EC, available N content in soil. Maximum pH was in control and also in late season transplanted broccoli without mulch in rainfed conditions. The maximum EC was also recorded in late season transplanted broccoli without mulch in rainfed conditions. The significant highest available N was recorded in main season transplanted broccoli without mulch in rainfed conditions. However, the effect of different transplanting, mulching and irrigation application on the available phosphorus and potassium content of soil remained non-significant. It is concluded that mulching improved soil parameters and provides suitable condition for broccoli in agro-climatic zone-II of Himachal Pradesh.