Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management Practices on Growth, Yield and Quality of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.)

Introduction

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is an important cool-season leafy vegetable crop belonging to the Brassicaceae family. It is valued for its high nutritional content, including vitamins (A, C, K), minerals, dietary fibre and antioxidants. Cabbage is widely used in salads, pickles, and cooked vegetables and has medicinal properties for treating digestive disorders and inflammation. India is the second-largest producer of vegetables in the world. Cabbage is a major winter vegetable crop in India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. Proper nutrient management is essential as cabbage is a heavy feeder crop requiring balanced supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients for optimum head formation and yield.Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), which combines inorganic fertilizers with organic sources like FYM, vermicompost and poultry manure, improves soil fertility, nutrient use efficiency, yield and quality while maintaining environmental sustainability. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of different INM practices on growth, yield and quality of cabbage.

Materials and Methods

The experiment was conducted at the Agriculture Research Farm, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Allied Industries, Rama University, Mandhana, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh during the rabi season of 2025-26. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture with neutral to slightly alkaline pH.The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Eleven treatments comprising different combinations of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) and organic manures were tested. Thirty-day-old seedlings of a suitable cabbage variety were transplanted at recommended spacing.

Treatment Details are-T₁: Control (no fertilizer), T₂: RDF (100:50:50 NPK kg/ha), T₃: 15 t FYM/ha, T₄: 5 t Vermicompost/ha, T₅: 5 t Poultry manure/ha, T₆: 75% RDF + 15 t FYM/ha, T₇: 75% RDF + 5 t Vermicompost + 5 t Poultry manure/ha, T₈: 75% RDF + 5 t Poultry manure/ha, T₉: 50% RDF + 15 t FYM/ha, T₁₀: 50% RDF + 5 t Vermicompost/ha, T₁₁: 50% RDF + 5 t Poultry manure/ha.

Results and Discussion

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth Parameters

The treatment T₉ (75% RDF + 25% FYM + Biofertilizers) recorded the highest plant height (25.56 cm), number of leaves per plant (13.98), leaf length (25.12 cm), leaf width (18.64 cm), and plant spread (45.12 cm). This was closely followed by T₄ (75% RDF + 25% Nitrogen through Vermicompost).The superior vegetative growth under these treatments was due to the balanced and sustained availability of nutrients from the integration of inorganic fertilizers, organic manures, and biofertilizers, which improved soil microbial activity and nutrient uptake.These findings are in agreement with Kalabandiet al. (2007) [3] , Choudhary et al. (2012) [1] , and Mahala et al. (2011) [4] , who reported significant improvement in growth parameters of cabbage and broccoli under integrated nutrient management involving vermicompost, FYM, and biofertilizers.

Effect of INM on Head Initiation, Maturity and Yield Attributes

The earliest head initiation (43.00 days) and head maturity (68.00 days) were recorded in T₉. The highest head diameter (13.54 cm), average head weight (1.64 kg), and head yield per hectare (56.62 t/ha) were also recorded in T₉.These improvements were due to better nutrient synchronization and enhanced physiological processes under integrated application of organic and inorganic sources.These results are supported by Dalalet al. (2010) [2] , Rai et al. (2013) [6] , and Mohapatra et al. (2013) [5] , who reported significant enhancement in head yield and earliness in cabbage under INM practices.

Effect of INM on Quality Parameters

The treatment T₉ recorded the highest ascorbic acid (35.54 mg/100g), moisture content (95.64%), and TSS (7.68 °Brix). Improved quality was due to better nutrient balance and enhanced metabolic activities from organic sources.These findings are in conformity with Choudhary et al. (2012) [1] , Sharma and Sharma (2020) [7] , and Singh et al. (2021) [8] .

Effect of INM on Economics

The treatment T₉ recorded the highest benefit-cost ratio (2.16), followed by T₄ (2.04). Higher economic returns were mainly due to significantly higher yield with moderate input cost.

References

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