Effects of Vermicompost and Seaweed Extract on Growth and Yield of Cauliflower under Semi-arid Conditions

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season at the Horticultural Research Farm, School of Agricultural Sciences, Nirwan University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, to evaluate the individual and combined effects of vermicompost and seaweed extract on cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) under semi-arid conditions. The experiment was arranged in a factorial randomized block design with three vermicompost levels (0, 2.5 and 5.0 t ha⁻¹) and three seaweed extract concentrations (0, 0.5 and 1.0%), producing nine treatment combinations with three replications. Vermicompost was incorporated before transplanting, whereas seaweed extract was applied as foliar sprays at 30 and 45 days after transplanting. The treatments significantly influenced most measured growth, physiological, yield and economic parameters. The combined treatment T₉ (5.0 t ha⁻¹ vermicompost + 1.0% seaweed extract) recorded the highest plant establishment (95.35%), plant height (60.85 cm), number of leaves (24.35 plant⁻¹), chlorophyll content (52.40 SPAD), dry matter accumulation (64.60 g plant⁻¹), curd diameter (18.75 cm), average curd weight (915.40 g) and marketable yield (365.20 q ha⁻¹). The untreated control recorded the lowest values for the measured traits. Under the experimental conditions, the combined use of vermicompost and seaweed extract was associated with improved cauliflower growth and yield, with T₉ showing the highest overall performance among the tested treatments.