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Effects of drip fertigation on growth, productivity and quality of cauliflower under black plastic mulch and open field conditions


Citation :- Effects of drip fertigation on growth, productivity and quality of cauliflower under black plastic mulch and open field conditions. Res. Crop. 27: 308-315
SANTOSH D. T., MASINA SAIRAM, DINAKAR J. GAIKWAD, SUMIT RAY, LALICHETTI SAGAR, SATYA PRASAD NANDA AND SAGAR MAITRA sagar.maitra@cutm.ac.in
Address : Center of Excellence for Smart Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha, India
Submitted Date : 11-05-2026
Accepted Date : 29-05-2026

Abstract

Cauliflower is an important vegetable for its nutritional value and economic importance. However, its cultivation requires efficient water and nutrient management. Based on this fact, the study examined the impact of drip fertigation and black plastic mulch on growth, yield, and quality of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis). The experiment was carried out for two years in winter (December to February, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025) at the experimental field of the Centre of Excellence for Smart Agriculture (CoESA), M. S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture (MSSSoA), Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM), Odisha, India. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design, consisting of eight treatments involving fertigation at different levels (100%, 80%, and 60% RDF) with mulch and non-mulch treatments, as well as soil applications of nutrients. Results showed that fertigation through drip and black plastic mulch significantly enhanced growth traits such as plant height (58.3 cm), leaf number (22.8), and earliness (23.3 days), over non-mulching and conventional nutrient application. The highest chlorophyll content (23.5), head weight (496.4 g), head diameter (23.1 cm), and yield (22.5 t/ha) were recorded with 100% RDF under drip fertigation with mulch, suggesting improved physiological performance and yield. Mulched fertigation treatments also improved quality attributes, including harvest index (36.0 %), dry matter (10.9%), crude fibre (2.2%), and shelf life (13.2 days). Higher nitrogen and potassium levels, and total soluble solids in cauliflower were noted under drip fertigation with mulching. The 80% RDF with mulching showed similar growth attributes as 100% RDF, indicating the possibility of lowering fertilizer doses with yield and quality. The findings established the use of fertigation and black plastic mulching to enhance the efficiency of inputs and to achieve sustainable cauliflower production.

Keywords

Cauliflower nutrient use efficiency quantity parameters water use efficiency yield yield attributes

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