Production potential of Knol Khol (Brassica Oleracea L. var. Gongylodes) as influenced by zinc, boron and RDF levels under Patiala region

Abstract:

The study assessed the production potential of knol‑khol (Brassica oleracea L. var. gongylodes) under varying levels of zinc, boron, and the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF) with respect to growth, yield and economic performance in the Patiala region. A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2024–25 at the Campus for Research and Advanced Studies, Dhablan, G.S.S.D.G.S. Khalsa College, Patiala, using a Randomized Block Design with 13 treatment combinations and three replications. The results demonstrated that the treatment T₁₃ (100% RDF + boron 1 kg ha⁻¹ + zinc 5 kg ha⁻¹) produced significantly superior values across all parameters. This treatment recorded maximum plant height (41.92 cm), leaf length (29.71 cm), leaf breadth (24.35 cm), number of leaves per plant (18.89), knob diameter (12.84 cm), knob volume (1103.36 cm³), dry weight (135.54 g), fresh weight (403.29 g), plot yield (10.89 kg plot⁻¹), and estimated yield (172.90 q ha⁻¹). The same treatment also achieved the highest gross return (₹345,806.67 ha⁻¹), net return (₹264,498.66 ha⁻¹), and benefit–cost ratio (3.25), indicating its overall superiority in enhancing productivity and profitability of knol‑khol under the agro‑climatic conditions of Patiala.