PERFORMANCE OF CAULIFLOWER AS INFLUENCED BY SPACING AND FERTILIZATION UNDER MEHOGANY BASED AGROFORESTRY IN CHARLAND OF TISTA RIVER BASIN

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in Jaldhakaupazila under Nilphamari district during October, 2019 to February, 2020 to evaluate the performance of cauliflower as influenced by spacing and fertilization under mehogany based agroforestry in charland of tista river basin. The experiment was laid out in two factorial RCBD with three replications. Factor A; Three spacings viz. S1= 75 cm x 50 cm (Broader), S2= 60 cm x 45 cm (Intermediate), S3= 50 cm x 40 cm (Close) and Factor B; Four different fertilizer and manure applications viz. F1= No fertilizer, F2= Poultry manure, F3= Cow-dung and F4= Chemical fertilizer. In case of the main effects of different planting spacing, the maximum yield of curd with leaf (49.73 t/ha) was recorded from the closer spacing i.e. 50 x 40 cm (S3). One the other hand, the minimum yield (20.97 t/ha) was recorded from the broader spacing i.e. 75 x 50 cm (S1) and the maximum yield of curd without leaf (21.89 t/ha) was also recorded from the closer spacing (50 x 40 cm). Whereas the minimum yield (15.28 t/ha) was recorded from the broader spacing (75 x 50 cm). Again, in case of main effects of fertilizer and manure applications, the highest curd yield with leaf (43.54 t/ha) was recorded from the plot where chemical fertilizer (F4) was applied whereas lowest curd yield with leaf (27.06 t/ha) was obtained from the plot where no fertilizer (F1) was applied. Similarly, the maximum yield of curd without leaf (23.27 t/ha) was recorded from the plot where chemical fertilizer (F4) was applied and the lowest yield of curd without leaf (9.47 t/ha) was obtained from the plot where no fertilizer (F1) was applied. In case of interaction effects of the different planting spacings and fertilizer and manure applications, the maximum curd yield with leaf (49.73 t/ha) was recorded in the pot where maintained closer spacing with chemical fertilizer application (S3F4) whereas the minimum yield (20.97 t/ha) of curd with leaf was recorded in the plot where maintained broader spacing (75 x 50 cm) with no fertilizer (S1F1). However, the maximum curd yield without leaf (27.00 t/ha) was recorded in the plot where maintained closer spacing with chemical fertilizer (S3F4) whereas the minimum yield (7.73 t/ha) of curd without leaf was recorded in the plot where maintained broader spacing with no fertilizer (S1F1).Finally, from the economic analysis, the highest benefit-cost ratio (4.08) was recorded from the treatment 50 x 40 cm spacing + chemical Fertilizer application (S3F4). On the other hand, the lowest benefit-cost ratio (1.73) was observed in those plots where cauliflower was grown under 60 x 45 cm planting space with no fertilizer application (S2F1). So, if we consider the benefit of organic manure applications in terms of environmental benefit, soil health and safe food consumption then cultivation of cauliflower at the floor of mahogany orchard with cowdung applications using closer spacing i.e. 50 x 40 cm may be a promising orchard based agroforestry system in the northern part of Bangladesh.