Impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) in the hilly region of Nepal

Abstract

The use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers plays a crucial role in farming practices in Nepal, depending on their availability. Applying fertilizers like compost, vermicompost, goat manure, and NPK has shown significant effects on various aspects of plant growth and yield. This study was conducted in Diktel, Khotang district of Nepal, from March 14th to June 7th, 2023, aiming to evaluate how different organic and inorganic sources affect the growth and yield of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.). The experiment followed a one-factor randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications, involving five treatments: T1: 100% Compost manure, T2: 100% Vermicompost, T3: 100% Goat manure, T4: 100% NPK, and T5: Control. The results clearly showed that both vegetative and reproductive traits were significantly varies among several treatments utilized in the experiments at 0.1% level of significance. Compost application consistently showed better results across most growth and yield parameters assessed. Growth parameters included plant height, leaf count per plant, leaf length, and leaf width, while yield parameters included beetroot diameter, beetroot length, root yield, and leaf yield. Organic compost manure particularly stood out, displaying significantly larger beetroot diameter (4.85 cm) and greater beetroot length (9.3 cm). Additionally, compost manure led to notably increased root yield (13.95 t/ha) compared to the control treatment, which recorded a lower root yield (6.28 t/ha). Overall, all treatments outperformed the control in terms of growth and yield parameters. These findings suggest that organic compost manure is the most favorable choice for achieving high-quality beetroot production in the hilly regions of Nepal.

Sustainable methods for growing turmeric: Evaluating the effects of synthetic and organic fertilizers on vegetative and reproductive attributes

“…Turmeric has been cultivated across diverse ecological zones of Nepal, spanning from the eastern to western regions, encompassing the inner terai, foothills, and mid-hills up to an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level (Mehata et al, 2022a;Rajbanshi et al, 2023;). Its cultivation demands minimal care and management, making it a popular choice either as a standalone crop or for intercropping within fruit orchards or agro-forestry setups on less fertile land (Khan et al, 2023;Majhi et al, 2024). Serving as a vital source of income, turmeric holds immense importance in Nepal's agricultural landscape, playing a crucial role in supporting the livelihoods of numerous farmers nationwide (Bairagi, 2022).…”