Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of broccoli (Brassica oleraceae var. italica L.) cv. Calabrese under foothill condition of Nagaland

A field experiment was carried out at the Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus, during 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 to find out the response of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of broccoli cv. Calabrese under the foothill condition of Nagaland. Results revealed that integrated application of 50% NPK + 50% vermicompost + Biofertilizers recorded significantly higher plant height (70.33 cm), number of leaves (20.45), stem diameter (3.25 cm), plant spread (74.25 cm), equilateral head diameter (16.97 cm), polar head diameter(18.37 cm), head size (310.59 cm2), gross head weight (956.0 g), net head weight (330.86 g), yield ha-1 (11.96 t ha-1), protein content (3.77%), vitamin C content (132.50 mg 100 g-1), total soluble solids (5.52) and pH of the head (5.12). While treatment T16- 50% NPK + 50% Pig manure + Biofertilizers gave the highest net return (¹ 260450) and cost benefit ratio (1:3.48) and was found to be significantly at par for all growth, yield and quality parameters with treatment T18 (50% NPK + 50% vermicompost + biofertilizers).