Exploring the role of organic amendments on growth, yield and seed quality of knol-khol (Brassica oleraceavar. gongylodes) in northern hills of India

To find out the effect of different organic bulk and liquid manures on the growth, yield and seed
quality of knol-khol, a field-experiment was conducted at CONF, Chatha during the Rabi season of
2022- 23. To increase yield, high amount of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides are used which not
only pollute the vegetables but also affect soil chemical properties. As pesticides and inorganic
fertilizers can penetrate vegetable tissues, they have a negative impact on the natural food chain
when utilised extensively in areas where leafy vegetable production occurs therefore an experiment
was conducted in RCBD with 02 factors viz., organic bulk and liquid manures. There were 20
treatments, with three replications. During the vegetative stage, liquid manures (Panchagavya,
Jeevamrut, Compost tea) were applied at 20 and 30 DAT and after 20 days of replanting the knobs
for seed production. Liquid manures were sprayed at 3% concentration whereas bulk manures were
applied at various dosages like FYM 20 t/ ha, vermicompost 3 t/ ha poultry manure 2 t/ ha and
mustard cake 2 t/ha, as basal dose to the crop. Results depicted that during the vegetative stage,
foliar applications of Compost tea + FYM recorded significantly higher growth and yield
contributing parameters as compared to other treatments. This treatment was statistically at par with
the treatment having Jeevamrut + FYM for knob diameter (8.12 cm) and days to 50% marketable
maturity (40 days). At the reproductive stage of the crop, Jeevamrut + FYM showed superiority
concerning days to 50% flowering (91 days), number of siliqua per plant (945), siliqua weight per
plant (75.67g), seed weight per plant (50g) and seed yield per hectare (610kg). Studies further
revealed that organic amendments could not influence soil chemical properties like pH, EC and OC
except available nitrogen. Its primary components, such as organic manures, offer a means of
lowering the indiscriminate use of synthetic fertilizers, which promote soil health and have a good
effect on soil organic matter.