Effect of Conjoint Application of NPK Sources and Nitrification Inhibitors on Micronutrients Uptake in Late Sown Cauliflower under Sub-tropical to Sub-temperate Conditions Shubham*, Sharma Uday1, Kaushal Rajesh1 University Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, 140 413, Punjab, India 1Department of Soil Science and Water Management, Dr. YSP UHF, Nauni, Solan, 173 230, Himachal Pradesh, India *Corresponding author (Email: shubham73seth@gmail.com)
Online Published on 08 July, 2024. Abstract Successive field experiments were carried out during 2018-19 and 2019-20 to implicate the effect of blended application of mineral NPK and FYM with NIs on micronutrient availability in cauliflower. Eight treatments comprised of NPK sources and NIs were incorporated with three replications in a randomized block design (RBD). Results showed that treatment of RDF [N, P and K (125:76:72 kg ha-1)] + neem cake (20 g kg-1 soil) + FYM (25 t ha-1) significantly escalated the micronutrients content (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) in plants with a maximum (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) in leaf (172.9, 77.3, 62.4 and 46.5 ppm), curd (185.4, 88.1, 61.3 and 48.4 ppm) and root (146.3, 58.8, 36.5 and 37.3 ppm), respectively, results were comparable with CaC2 treatment. Significant increases in micronutrient concentration were observed during 2019-20 over 2018-19. Besides neem cake, melia based treatment@ 20 g kg-1 soil showed a significant improvement on soil available micronutrients (19.2, 9.5, 3.58, 4.25 mg kg-1) content over other melia and pomegranate based treatments. Additionally, melia based treatment significantly increased the plant’s micronutrient content and thus proved itself a better choice for farmers practice. Regarding soil, neem based treatment @ 20 g kg-1 soil again clinched maximum micronutrient (Fe, Mn and Cu) content (21.7, 11.5 and 4.35 mg kg-1), respectively, however, Zn content was found to be higher under CaC2 treatment (3.68 mg kg-1). Therefore, two years of open research trials identified the general recommended application of NPK + FYM supplemented with neem cake and melia as notable and vigorous treatments for growing cauliflower under mid hills of North Western Himalayan region. Top Keywords Cauliflower, Fertilizer, Melia, Micronutrients availability, Neem cake, Nitrification inhibitors. Top |