COMBINED EFFECT OF ORGANIC MANURES AND BIO-FERTILIZERS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF BROCCOLI UNDER GARHWAL HIMALAYAN REGION V. Singh*, Kh. Naseeruddin Shah and D. K. Rana Department of Horticulture, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, 246174 *Corresponding Author's Email: bibek007singh@gmail.com ABSTRACT : A field trial was conducted at Horticulture Research Centre, Chauras Campus H.N.B University, Garhwal, Uttarakhand, during October 2014 to February 2015 to study the growth and yield potential of broccoli influenced by combined effect of organic manures and bio-fertilizer under Garhwal Himalayan region. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The experiment consist of two organic manures and biofertlizer with their combinations viz., Vermicompost (T ) 1 , Poultry manures (T ) 2 , Azotobacter (T ) 3 , Vermicompost + Poultry manure (T ) 4 , Vermicompost + Azotobacter (T ) 5 , Poultry manure + Azotobacter (T ) 6 , Vermicompost + Poultry manure + Azotobacter (T ) 7 , Control (T ) 8 . All the organic manures were applied at the field before one month of transplanting but Azotobacter were applied as root treatment before transplanting. Results were found to be significant in all the growth and yield parameters of broccoli. T 7 (Vermicompost + Poultry manure + Azotobacter) showed maximum plant height (57.13 cm), leaf length (48.17 cm), plant spread (56.16 cm 2 ), days to curd initiation (65.89), days to 50% curd initiation (75.23) and days taken to 50% curd maturity (88.51), where as maximum number of leaves (22.58), curd weight (315.69 g) and yield/ha (120.12 q) recorded in T 6 (Poultry manure + Azotobacter), while minimum under T 8 (Control). The results showed that the combined use of organic and bio-fertilizer significantly effective on growth and yield characters. Keywords : Broccoli, organic manure, vermicompost, Azotobacter, bio-fertilizer. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.) is an important cole crops belonging to the family Brassicaceae. There are three classes of broccoli viz., green, white and purple among them green type broccoli is the most popular (Shoemaker, 8). It is an important vegetable and also high value crop in India. The commercial cultivation of broccoli has increased day by day due to increasing the demand. Broccoli contains high amount of vitamin A, ascorbic acid and appreciable amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium and iron (Thompson and Kelly, 9; Lincolin, 6). Successful cultivation of broccoli depends on various factors viz., temperature, light, soil condition and fertilizer management is one of the most important factor, which assured good crop production. Broccoli can be grown on a wide range of soil types, ranging from light sand to heavy loam or even clay that are well supplied organic matter (Katyal, 4). Organic manure and biofertilizers offer an alternative source of chemical fertilizers and are being increasingly used in vegetable production. Bio-fertilizers are important beneficial microorganisms, which have ability to mobilize the nutritionally important elements from non-unstable to stable form through biological processes and are known to increase yield in several vegetables (Kumar et al., 5). Bio-fertilizers are cost effective and renewable source of plant nutrient. Organic manure is a source of food for the innumerable number of micro-organisms and creature like earthworms who break down these micronutrients, which are easily absorbed by the plants. Organic manures play major role in plant growth as sources of all necessary macro and micro nutrients in available form during mineralization and improving the physical and chemical properties of soil (Chaterjee et al., 2). Organic such as vermicompost and poultry manure improve the soil structure, aeration, slow release nutrient which support root development leading to higher growth and yield of broccoli (Abou et al., 1). Considering the above circumstances, this work was undertaken to investigate the performances of different organic manures and bio-fertilizers on growth and yield of broccoli. The experiment was carried out at Horticultural Research Centre, Chauras Campus, H.N.B Garhwal HortFlora Research Spectrum www.hortflorajournal.com Vol. 5, Issue 4; 345-347 (December 2016) ISSN: 2250-2823 Article’s History: Received : 11-11-2016 Accepted : 07-12-2016 Research Note