Impact of bio-pesticides and nitrogenous fertilizer on growth, yield contributing characters and economic attributes of red cabbage in Northern-Eastern part of Punjab

Red cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata f. rubra) is an important exotic, cool-season vegetable. This research examines the impact of different nitrogen doses combined with various bio-pesticides. The study utilized Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and neem cake as bio-pesticides along with varying nitrogen levels. The combination of 125 kg N ha-¹ and T. harzianum resulted in the highest plant height (36.50 cm), greatest plant spread (81.51 cm), and the shortest time to head initiation (41.11 days). Meanwhile, the combination of 125 kg N ha-¹ and P. fluorescens produced the best equatorial diameter (15.41 cm), polar diameter (17.67 cm), and yield per hectare (501.08 quintals per hectare). The treatment with 125 kg N ha-¹ and P. fluorescens at 10 g per kg of FYM (N2B2) also yielded the highest net return (₹383,449.65) and the best benefitcost ratio (3.07). Based on these results, after on-farm trials, this combination is recommended to growers for improved yield, better growth, and maximum net return per unit area in red cabbage production.