EFFECT OF MULCHING AND FERTILIZERS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF TURNIP (Brassica rapa sub sp. rapifera)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in the Horticulture farm of Sher-e-Dangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from November 2006 to January 2007 to study the effect of mulching and fertilizers on growth and yield of turnip. No mulch (Mo) and mulch of water hyacinth ((M1)) were used for mulching treatment and 6 levels of fertilizers vis. without fertilizer (Fe), Cowdung (F1), Oil cake (F2), Cowdung + Oil cake (f-3), Urea+ Triple Super Phosphate + Muriate of potash (F4) and Cowdung + Urea + Triple Super Phosphate+ Muriate of potash (F s) were used. The tallest plant (57.40 cm), maximum total fresh weight per plant (571.31 g), highest yield per hectare (35.98 t) was recorded from M1 At harvest the tallest plant (61.60 cm), maximum total fresh weight per plant (650.06 g), highest yield per hectare (40.22 t) was recorded from f's. At harvest the highest gross return Tk. 322,800 was obtained from M1Fs and the highest net return Tk. 174,312 was obtained from M1F5 and the maximum (2.17) benefit cost ratio was attained from M1Fs.