Effect of nitrogen doses and inter crops on growth and yield of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica)
A field trial was conducted in 2016-2017 at Vegetable Seed Production Farm, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana in randomized complete block design with three doses of nitrogen (125, 150 and 175 kg/ha) and four summer season vegetables (capsicum, chilli, cucumber and tomato) as intercrops replicated thrice. The maximum plant height (57.11 cm), number of leaves per plant (15.85), leaf size (394.87 cm2), leaf area index (3.39), plant spread (64 cm), head weight (176.72 g), number of axillary sprouts per plant (9.01), weight of axillary sprouts per plant (130.50 g) and total yield (145.47 q/ha) obtained with nitrogen @ 175 kg/ha were statistically at par with nitrogen @ 150 kg/ha. The statistical differences were found to be non-significant in intercropping systems but the sole crop of broccoli showed maximum values for growth and yield parameters. The highest benefit cost ratio (BCR: 3.74) and land equivalent ratio (LER: 1.67) were observed in broccoli + tomato followed by broccoli + chilli.