Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) on Growth and Yield of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)

The present investigation was conducted at Research Farm, Agricultural Research Institute, Patna, Bihar, India, during the Rabi season 2023-2024 to investigate “Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) on the growth and yield of Broccoli”. This study investigated the effects of integrated nutrient management on broccoli's growth, development and yield. Among various treatments, T9 [50% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) through chemical fertilizer + 25% nitrogen (N) through Neem cake + Biofertilizers (Azotobacter + PSB)] recorded the maximum plant height (54.08 cm) due to enhanced nutrient availability and favorable soil conditions. The maximum number of leaves (21.00) was observed in T10 [50% RDF through chemical fertilizer + 12.5% N through FYM + 12.5% N through Vermicompost + 12.5% N through Neem cake + Biofertilizers (Azotobacter + PSB)], attributed to improved soil aeration and moisture retention. Treatment T10 also required the shortest time to reach 50% heading (61.00 days) and marketable maturity (81.00 days), likely due to the balanced nutrient supply from organic and inorganic sources. Yield parameters demonstrated superior performance for T10, which achieved the highest head weight (372.03 g) and yield (187.81 q/ha), followed by T9 and T8. The enhanced yield in T10 can be attributed to the synergistic effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers and biofertilizers, which improved nutrient availability, root development, and overall plant growth. Conversely, the lowest values for growth and yield attributes were consistently recorded in T2 (100% N through farmyard manure). These findings underline the significance of integrated nutrient management in improving broccoli production by optimizing plant growth and yield.