Effect of Biofertilizers and Different Levels of Nitrogen on Growth and Yield of Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala L.)

An investigation was performed at the experimental field, Division of Vegetable Science, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar during Kharif season, 2013 to find out the effect of biofertilizer and nitrogen on the growth and yield of kale. The experiment waslaidout in RBD with three replications, with four biofertilizer levels (B₀, B₁, B₂, and four nitrogen levels (N₀, N₁, ^N2, ^N3). Observations were recorded on various aspects like growth and yield of kale. Biofertilizers exhibited a significant increase over control. Among biofertilizers, Azospirillum registered higher values, than those recorded with Azotobacter. Conjugation of Azospirillum and Azotobacter @ 2.5 kg ha⁻¹ each registered maximum values for plant height, average leaf weight, number of leaves plant⁻¹, leaf yield (gm) plant⁻¹ and leaf yield ha⁻¹ as compared to sole application of biofertilizers. Increasing levels of chemical nitrogen registered a gradual increase in all the characters under study. Treatment N₃ (100% RN) i.e. (90 kg N ha⁻¹) recorded maximum values for plant height, average leaf weight, number of leaves plant⁻¹, leaf yield plant⁻¹ and leaf yield ha⁻¹ (q) respectively. Treatment combination B₃N₃ (T₁₆) recorded higher values for plant height, average leaf weight and number of leaves plant⁻¹, leaf yield (gm) plant⁻¹, and leaf yield ha⁻¹(q). However, it was observed that, B₃^N2 registered higher values with respect to all characters under study as compared to B₀N₃. It indicates a nitrogen economy of 25%.