Effect of Polymer and Compost on Growth and Yield of Cauliflower (Brassica Oleracea) under Different Moisture Regimes

Water being an essential component for plant growth and development, its scarcity possesses serious threat to crops around the world. Climate change and global warming are increasing the temperature of earth hence becoming an ultimate cause of water scarcity. It is need of the day to use potential soil amendments that could increase the plants resistance under such situations. The study was planned to enhance the water use efficiency using chemical and organic amendments under wire house conditions. Polyacrylamide and compost were used to improve the WUE and growth of Brassica Oleracea (Cauliflower). Experiment was comprised of four treatments including control, polymer, compost and combination of polymer and compost. Three irrigation levels i.e. 35%, 75% and 100% of field capacity were applied. Each treatment was replicated thrice and complete randomized design with factorial arrangement was used. Recommended dose of fertilizers was applied while water was applied according to calculations based on field capacity. The data relating the agronomic, chemical and physiological parameters was gathered before and after harvesting. In treatments having combination of compost and polymer maximum increment in plant height (91.81%), chlorophyll contents (84.38%), relative water content (53.41%), soil nitrogen (33.5%), soil phosphorous (37.35%), soil potassium (22.5%) and soil organic matter (90%) was noticed as compared to control. Maximum reduction in proline contents and electrolyte leakage was noticed as 35% and 73.02% respectively. It was concluded that application of compost and polymer improved the growth, yield and increased soil nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium availability under the water limited conditions.