EFFECT OF NITROGEN AND MULCHING ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF CHINESE CABBAGE (Brassica campestris var. Pekinensis)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in the Horticulture Farm of Sher-e Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from October 2005 to December 2005 to study the effect of different levels of Nitrogen and mulching on the growth and yield of Chinese cabbage., The experiment considered of two factors. Factor A: Levels of nitrogen (4 levels) i.e. No (No N fertilizer/Control), N 1 ( 160 kg/ha), N2 (200 kg/ha) and N3 (250 kg/ha); Factor B: Mulches (4 levels) i.e. Mo (No mulch), M1 (black polythene), M2 (saw dust) and M3 (water hyacinth). There were on the whole 16 (4 x 4) treatments combinations. The experiment was laid out in the two factors Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were collected in terms of yield contributing characters and yield of Chinese cabbage. A significant variation was recorded in respect of all of the recorded characters in relation with different levels of nitrogen The tallest Chinese cabbage plant during harvest was recorded from N3. The longest duration to start head formation from seed sowing were recorded from No and the longest duration of head maturity from initiation was recorded from No. The maximum thickness and diameter of head were recorded from N3. The highest marketable yield was recorded from N3. The highest plant height during harvesting period was recorded from M1. The longest duration to start of head formation from seed sowing and the longest duration of head maturity from initiation were recorded from M0. The maximum thickness and diameter of head were recorded from M1• The highest marketable yield were recorded from M1. lntcraction effect between different levels of nitrogen and mulches confirmed no significant differences. In every case maximum growth and yield contributing characters and yield was observed from N3M 11 1. In the combination of different doses of nitrogen and different mulches highest benefit cost ratio was attained from the treatment combination of N3M