Vol. 11, Special Issue 12 (2022)

This field trail aimed at evaluating the nutrient uptake, root characteristics, physiological behaviour and quality response of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) to applied water and fertilizer under drip fertigation method during Rabi season of 2019–20 and 2020–21. The experiment consisted of 4 drip irrigation levels viz., 120, 100, 80 and 60% ETc and 4 drip fertigation levels viz., 100, 75, 50% recommended dose (RD) of NPK and control and was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) at Instructional-cum-Research Farm, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat with three replications. Application of irrigation level at 100% ETc recorded higher nutrient uptake by the plant. Root parameters (root volume and root dry weight), fruit quality (protein content), chlorophyll content, photosynthesis rate and conductance also followed the same trend in response to the aforesaid treatment. However, root length and ascorbic acid content was recorded highest with irrigation level at 60% ETc. Among the fertility levels, drip fertigation with 75% RD of NPK showed superior results in terms of nutrient uptake, root parameters and protein content. The photosynthesis rate and stomatal conductance was more influenced by water than fertilizer. The chlorophyll content, photosynthesis and conductance were recorded highest with 75% RD. Therefore, broccoli can be grown better under drip fertigation at 100% ETc in combination with 75% RD of NPK in Assam for better yield, quality, profitability and resource saving.