Effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers, and mulching on growth and yield of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.)

Abstract

Purpose: Cabbage is important fresh vegetable crop in most of the countries of the world. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. cv. Atlas-70) as influenced by organic and inorganic fertilizers, and mulching. Research methods: The experiment comprised of two different factors such as, factor-A; four different types of fertilizers viz. F0 (control, no fertilizer), F1 (vermicompost), F2 (inorganic fertilizer), and F3 (mixed of organic and inorganic fertilizer) and factor-B; types of mulches viz. M0 (control, no mulch), M1 (water hyacinth), M2 (rice straw), M3 (black polythene). This two factors experiment was conducted in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Findings: Significant variation was found among the treatments. Result showed F3M3 (combination organic and inorganic fertilizer with black polythene) had the highest growth (plant height, stem length, root length, number of roots etc.) and yield (105.93 t/ha) in cabbage. The yield was 63.92% higher from the combined effect of fertilizer and mulch as black polythene (F3M3) compared to control (F0M0). So, mineral fertilizer and vermicompost with black polythene had the best performance considering the growth and yield of cabbage. Research limitations: Evaluation of different ratios of organic and inorganic fertilizers with mulching could have better outcome or findings of this work. Originality/Value: Combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers with black polythene as mulch have showed the highest growth and yield outcome of cabbage compared to other treatments combinations.This work has the opportunity to reduce the application of inorganic fertilizer to improve the soil health and environment in long run.