A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of broccoli genotypes under inorganic and organic culture system during October 2013 to March 2014. Three broccoli genotypes were used for the experiment. The study with inorganic was conducted at the Horticulture Research Field of Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU), Sylhet while the same experiment under organic culture system was conducted at the field of FIVDB (Friends in Village Development Bangladesh), Surmagate, Sylhet. Thus, the two systems were considered as two factors totalling 6 combinations with three replications. The data were statistically analyzed following Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The whole experiment area (separately for inorganic and organic) was divided into three blocks, representing three replications. Each block consisted of three plots. Thus, total numbers of plots were nine for each culture system. Different morphological characteristics, yield and yield attributes were largely influenced by the genotypes. The highest individual curd weight (183.87 g plant-1) and secondary curd weight (136.05 g plant-1) were recorded from Premium while both of these were lowest for BR001. The mean weight of individual curd (138.01 g plant-1) and secondary curd weight (144.81 g plant-1) of broccoli in the inorganic culture system were significantly higher than under the organic production system. This difference could be attributed due to higher supply of nutrient in the inorganic culture system than organic culture system. Again the genotype Premium performed better in respect of individual curd weight (265.67 g plant-1) and secondary curd weight (216.36 g plant-1) in inorganic culture system while both were lowest (39.29 and 33.81 g plant-1, respectively) for the genotype BR001 when grown in organic culture system. Therefore, the genotype Premium can be recommended as a genotype for cultivation under both organic and inorganic culture systems.

Keywords: Broccoli, organic, inorganic, growth and yield

The study on the shelf life and economic analysis of broccoli under different fertilizer treatments combinations were carried out both in the field and laboratory of Horticulture Department, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, during 10 October 2007 to 28 February 2008. There were 13 treatments viz. control (no application of fertilizer) (T1), N45P30K50MO0.3(T2), N90P30K50MO0.3(T3), N135P30K50MO0.3(T4), N90P0K50MO0.3(T5), N90P60K50MO0.3(T6), N90P90K50MO0.3(T7), N90P30K0MO0.3(T8), N90P30K25MO0.3(T9), N90P30K75MO0.3(T10), N90P30K50MO0.0(T11), N90P30K50MO0.1(T12), and N90P30K50MO0.5(T13). Cowdung was applied @10 t ha-1 as basal dose in each case. The maximum shelf life (15.05 days) was observed with no application of inorganic fertilizer and kept at 40C in polythene bag wrapping the broccoli curd. The maximum gross return per hectare (Tk. 3, 66, 740 ha-1) and net benefit (Tk. 2, 56, 182 ha-1) were found in T4 (N135P30K50MO0.3) followed by T7 (N90P90K50MO0.3) (Tk. 3,36,380 and 2, 17, 457, respectively) and the minimum values (Tk. 1, 22, 100 and 21,546, respectively) being noted in T1 (control). The highest cost benefit ratio (3.32) was found in T4 (N135P30K50MO 0.3). Considering the yield of broccoli and the benefit cost ratio, nutrient application of N, P, K, and Mo @ 135, 30, 50, and 0.3 kg ha-1, respectively are the optimum doses for growing broccoli in shallow Red-Brown Terrace Soil of Salna series, Gazipur.

Keywords: Shelf life, broccoli, benefit cost ratio, inorganic fertilizers, net benefit