Effect of Microbial Inoculants and Chemical Fertilizers on Yield and Economics of Hybrid Cabbage (Brassica oleracea Var. Capitata)

The present investigation was carried out at Department of Horticulture, Allahabad School of Agriculture, SHIATS, Allahabad, U.P. during winter season of 2014-15 and 2015-16 in Factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) for yield and quality contributing characters. The microbial inoculants (Azospirillum) significantly reduced the number of days taken to head initiation (52.20 days). The plants developed under NPK levels of N₂₀₀ P₁₀₀ K₁₀₀ along with microbial inoculant Azospirillum significantly produced the highest average head yield (1.753 kg) per plant. The highest head yield (787.47 q/ha) was obtained with the use of microbial inoculant Azospirillum and proved its superiority over Azotobacter. For economics components the highest gross return (607954.67 Rs./ha) was associated with NPK levels of N₂₀₀ P₁₀₀ K₁₀₀ + Azospirillum. Moreover, net return (463011.69Rs./ha) was associated with NPK level of N₂₀₀ P₁₀₀ K₁₀₀ per hectare. The plants grown at NPK levels of N₂₀₀ P₁₀₀ K₁₀₀ per hectare produced significantly maximum benefit: cost ratio (3.96). Therefore, it may be concluded that application of microbial inoculants basically Azospirillum as soil application of NPK levels of N₂₀₀ P₁₀₀ K₁₀₀ per hectare was the most effective treatment combination for higher yield and economics in hybrid cabbage.