S. Noor
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur
A.T.M. Farid
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur
N.C.Shil
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur
A.K.M. Hossain
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur
A field experiment on cauliflower (Brassica oleracia) was carried out during the rabi season of 1997 and 1998 in Chhiata series of the grey Terrace soil (Albaquepts) under AEZ-28 of BARI Central Farm, Gazipur. The objectives were (i) to find out the contribution of macro and micronutrients along with cowdung on the yield of cauliflower and (ii) to update balanced fertilizer recommendation for target yield. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with 6 treatments viz. T1 = N150 P45 K80 S20 Zn5 B2 Mo1 kg-1 (RD): T2 = 50% of RD + cowdung @ 10 t ha-1; T3 = 50% RD of NPK + cowdung @ 10 t ha-1; T4 = 50% RD of S Zn B Mo + cowdung @ 10 t ha-1; T5 = Cowdung @ 10 t ha-1 and T6 = Absolute control. The mean highest yield (36.53 t ha-1) was obtained from the treatment T1 which was statistically significant over all other treatments. The second highest yield (30.37 t ha-1) was derived from T2 which was statistically inferior to T1 but significant over rest of the treatments. However, T2 produced 219% higher yield over control whereas the sole and higher rates of chemical fertilizer (T1) contributed 284%. Moderate yield (24.69 t ha-1) was obtained from T3 indicating that a package of NPK fertilizer along with cowdung may be suitable for the marginal farmers. Cowdung alone (T5) or in combination with micronutrient fertilizer (T4) produced significantly higher yield over absolute control (T6). The yield components like plant height, no. of leaves per plant did not differ significantly where comparison were made between T1 and T2 but in other cases, this parameters varied significantly. The fertility status of the soil was tended to improve where both cowdung and chemical fertilizers were applied in an integrated approach. From economic analysis, treatment T1 appeared at the best producing the maximum marginal rate of return (3689%) along with the highest gross margin of Tk. 2,74,638 ha-1 yr-1 followed by T3. However, integrated approach of nutrient management was found beneficial in respect of yield sustainability and to maintain soil fertility.
Macro and micronutrients, Soil fertility, Target yield, Gross margin, Cauliflower
BARI Central Farm, Gazipur
Crop-Soil-Water Management
(i) to find out the contribution of macro and micronutrients along with cowdung on the yield of cauliflower and (ii) to update balanced fertilizer recommendation for target yield
Full dose of PKSZnBMo and 1/3 N were applied at the time of final land preparation and the remaining N was top dressed in two equal installments at 21 and 42 days after planting. Well decomposed cowdung was applied in the individual pits prior to planting as per treatments imposed. One month aged healthy seedlings of Snowball variety was transplanted maintaining a spacing of 40 cm in 60 cm apart rows. Intercultural operations and plant protection measures were done to ensure luxuriant growth of the crop. Harvesting was done when the heads attained proper size and were at the right stage of maturity (heads were remained compact but had not brocken into segments). The harvesting was lasted for 18 days. Ten plants from each plot were tagged at random to keep records on plant height, number of leaves plant-1, curd weight and curd circumference. Yield of the curd (t ha-1) was determined on the basis of per plot yield. A total of 24 post harvest soil samples were collected and analyzed in the laboratory to see the fertility status of the soil. Cowdung sample was also analyzed to know its nutrient composition. Finally data was statistically analyzed using IRRISTAT Package.
Highest doses of chemical fertilizers produced the highest yield with better economic return but integrated management of nutrients from both organic manure and inorganic fertilizers even with the reduced dose was found beneficial in respect of yield sustainability and improved soil fertility.
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