Influence of Vermicompost and Biofertilizer on growth, head yield and quality of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica)

Abstract

Abstract. The present experiment was conducted from November 2020 to March 2021 at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University’s Horticulture Farm in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The investigation included four levels of vermicompost (T0= control, T1=3 t.ha-1, T2=6 t.ha-1 and T3=9 t.ha-1) and biofertilizer (F0=control, F1=3 kg.ha-1, F2=5 kg.ha-1 and F3=7 kg.ha-1) which was carried out by factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. The broccoli variety ‘Green Carpet’ was used as planting material. The application of the treatment T3F3 (vermicompost at 9 t.ha-1 and biofertilizer at 7 kg.ha-1) resulted in the highest plant height (67.85 cm), number of leaves per plant (22.76), leaf length (60.57 cm), leaf breadth (23.23 cm) and chlorophyll (SPAD index) (54.90). However, statistically similar results were also observed for T2F3 in most cases (vermicompost at 6 t.ha-1 and biofertilizer at 7 kg.ha-1). The maximum stem diameter (4.98 cm) was recorded in T2F3. Fewest days to achieve 100% curd initiation (54 days), maximum curd diameter (13.19 cm), yield (15.84 t.ha-1) and vitamin C (64.34 mg 100 g-1) content were recorded in T3F3. With the exception of the fewer days required to initiate curd formation, all other parameters were statistically similar to those observed in the T2F3 treatment combination.