Document Type : Research paper

Authors

1 Deputy Director, Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Ministry of Agriculture, Republic of Bangladesh

2 Department of Agro Product Processing Technology Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore-7408

3 Rural Reconstruction Foundation (RRF), Jashore, Bangladesh

Abstract

The study was conducted in Polashi, Manirampur Upazila, Jashore, Bangladesh, during Rabi seasons of 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 to evaluate the effects of organic nutrient sources on yield and shelf life of broccoli. The experimental layout was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and six treatments which were: T1= Vermicompost 3 t ha-1, T2 = Vermicompost 4 t ha-1, T3 = Trichocompost 3 t ha-1, T4 = Trichocompost 4 t ha-1, T5 = FYM 12 t ha-1, T6 = (control). A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was designed to determine the shelf life of broccoli with three replications, considering three factors, (i) the effects of organic sources of nutrient, (ii) storage materials at room temperature and (iii) storage materials at cold storage condition. The findings revealed that the effects of organic nutrient sources significantly influenced the yield and shelf life of broccoli. The treatment T2 (vermicompost 4 t ha-1) produced significant (p≤0.05) amounts of marketable curd yield of broccoli (22.33 t ha-1 and 21.27 t ha-1), followed by T4 (Trichocompost  4 t ha-1) with marketable curd yield (19.76 t ha-1, 18.78 t ha-1). In contrast, the minimum marketable curd yield (7.76 t ha-1 and 7.29 t ha-1) occurred in T6 (control) in the respective years. The treatment of T2 led to the highest shelf life (7.33 and 7.55 days) at room temperature (14-220C with RH 60-65%). At cold storage (40C with RH 90-95%), using High-Density Polyethylene (HDP;15 micron) vacuum pack, the shelf life was also significant (24.75 & 25.19 days) during the years of 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, respectively.

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