Influence of integrated nutrient management (INM) on soil physico chemical properties and nutrient uptake of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.)

The present study was carried out with cauliflower cv. Pusa Snowball K-1 at the Experimental Farm of Department of Soil Science and Water Management, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, (Himachal Pradesh) during 2014–15 and 2015–16 in a randomized complete block design with the objective to develop an integrated plant nutrient supply system for higher productivity of cauliflower on sustainable basis. The experiment comprised of seven treatments viz., T₁: 100% NPK + FYM, T₂: 100% NPK + FYM+ PGPR, T₃: 100% NPK+ 50% FYM and 50% VC on N equivalence basis + PGPR, T₄: 75% NPK+50% FYM and 50% vermicompost (VC) on N equivalence basis, T₅: 75% NPK+50% FYM and 50% VC on N equivalence basis+ PGPR, T₆: 50% NPK+ 50% FYM and 50% VC on N equivalence basis and T₇: 50% NPK+ 50% FYM and 50% VC on N equivalence basis + PGPR. Conjoint use of fertilizers, manures and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) significantly influenced soil nutrient status and nutrient uptake pattern of cauliflower crop. Treatment T₃ resulted in significantly maximum soil macro and micro-nutrient contents which was found statistically at par with T₅. From present investigation, it can be concluded that above integrated combination of chemical fertilizers, organic manures (FYM, VC) and PGPR resulted in better nutrient status and uptake as evident by post fertility status of soil and plant analysis.