Effect of plant density and integrated nutrient management on growth, yield, quality and economics of kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) in temperate region

摘要

An experiment was laid out during 2006-07 with 18 treatment combinations of 3 spacing and 6 nutrition levels in a factorial randomized block design with 3 replications. Among the plant spacing, 30 cm x 40 cm recorded higher plant spread (37.80 cm), leaf area (216.23 cm2), number of leaves/plant (11.13), average leaf weight (22.13 g), petiole length (12.95 cm), petiole mid-rib weight (8.95 g), leaf weight/plant (166.04 g), dry matter content (13.69%), total chlorophyll content (61.06 mg/100 g), total carotenoids (2.53 mg/100 g) and vitamin C content (100.65 mg/100 g). But significantly higher leaf yield (26.25 tonnes/ha) was recorded with a spacing of 30 cm x 20 cm due to large plant population/unit area. Among the nutritional levels, 50% recommended fertilizers dose+3 tonnes vermicompost/ha recorded significantly higher plant spread (43.17 cm), leaf area (268.36 cm2), number of leaves/plant (12.65), average leaf weight (24.14 g), duration of picking (45 days), leaf weight (188.93 g/plant) and leaf yield (26.25 tonnes/ha). The highest net returns of Rs 2 12 801 and benefit:cost ratio of 4.28 was accrued with 30 cm x 20 cm plant spacing along with 50% recommended fertilizers dose+3 tonnes vermicompost/ha.