Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on LAI and Yield Formation of Cauliflower in Bhaktapur

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess  the effect of different combinations of NPK fertilizer and organic manure on the growth and yield of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis). The main objective of the study was to identify the most suitable combination of integrated nutrients for improving cauliflower growth, yield attributes, and yield under local field conditions. The experiment was carried out on a field at Bhaktapur from 8 Jan to 24 April 2026 using the cauliflower variety Snow Mystique. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with four 
treatments and five replications. The treatments included T1 (0 nutrients added), T2, T3 and T4 with equal amount of OM @  kg/ha but different N:PK: amounts (N: . FYM was applied uniformly to all plots. Data were collected on plant height, number of leaves, leaf area index, curd weight, curd diameter, biomass, number of curds per plot, and yield per plot. The collected data were analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results showed that T3 produced the best performance in yield parameters and recorded the highest curd weight of 896.0 g, curd diameter of 13.88 cm, biomass of 1755.6 g, and yield of 17.47 kg per plot. Although T4 showed higher vegetative growth in some stages, it produced lower yield than T3, indicating that excessive fertilizer application was not beneficial. Therefore, the recommended NPK dose of 200-120-100 kg ha⁻¹ with organic manure is concluded to be the most suitable combination for cauliflower production in Chittapol, Bhaktapur.