The present investigation entitled “Response of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.var. italica) to different fertigation levels and microbial consortia under drip irrigation and plastic mulch” was conducted on the farm of Interfaculty Department of Irrigation Water Management, Post Graduate Institute, MPKV, Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar (Maharashtra) with a view to study the growth and yield potential of broccoli during rabi season, 2022-23. The present investigation was laid out in split plot design with three replications.The three main plot treatments comprised of three fertigation levels viz., F1: 50% RDF, F2: 75% RDF and F3:100% RDF whereas subplot treatments comprised of five microbial consortium viz., C0: Control, C1: MPKV Consortium (Azotobacter + PSB + KSB + Trichoderma), C2 : VNMKV Biomix, C3 : Arka microbial consortium, C4 : IFFCO NPK Liquid Biofertilizer Consortium. Biofertigation of microbial consortium was done at transplanting, 15 DAT, 30 DAT and 45 DAT. Application of fertigation at 100% RDF fertigation level registered maximum and significantly higher growth contributing characters viz., plant height (49.36 cm), plant spread (63.75 cm) and dry matter content plant-1 (70.27g) at last harvesting stage, as compared to rest of fertigation levels. It was at par with 75% RDF fertigation level. The yield attributing character viz., diameter of curd (19.99 cm), weight of curd plant-1 (2023 g) and total yield (74.62 t ha-1) was maximum and significantly higher in application of fertigation at 100% RDF fertigation level. It was followed by 75% RDF fertigation level. The minimum values of all the yield attributes were registered at 50% RDF fertigation level. Scheduling of biofertigation of microbial consortium of MPKV Consortium (Azotobacter + PSB + KSB + Trichoderma) proved its superiority by recording significantly higher growth contributing characters viz., plant height (49.77 cm), plant spread (63.75 cm) and dry matter content plant-1 (71.11 g) at time of harvest of crop as compared to rest of biofertigation of microbial consortium. Similarly, scheduling of biofertigation of microbial consortium of MPKV Consortium (Azotobacter + PSB + KSB + Trichoderma) obtained significantly higher yield attributing characters of broccoli viz., diameter of curd (23.06 cm) and weight of curd plant-1 (1983 g) and total curd yield (75.73 t ha-1).The minimum values of all the yield attributes were registered with control.

Broccoli, Fertigation levels, Microbial consortium, Azotobactor, Trichoderma

It could be concluded that, application of fertigation at 75% RDF fertigation level coupled with biofertigation of MPKV Consortium (Azotobacter + PSB + KSB + Trichoderma) found suitable to broccoli for maximum growth characters, yield attributes and curd yield.

Saste D.N., Danawale N.J., Mane M.S., Khedkar D.D., Kale K.D. and Jamdade S.S. (2024). Response of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. Var. italica) to different Fertigation Levels and Microbial Consortia under Drip Irrigation and Plastic Mulch. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(6): 68-71.