293

Environment and Ecology 42 (1A) : 293—300, January—March 2024

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.60151/envec/KHNG3927
ISSN 0970-0420

Effect of Organic Manure and Bio-Fertilizers on

Growth and Yield of Summer Squash
(Cucurbita pepo L.)

Ritika, Puja Rattan

Received 2 August 2023, Accepted 13 December 2023, Published on 6 March 2024

ABSTRACT ha) and quality parameter like TSS. It was observed

that plants which were treated with (T6) Azotobacter
The present investigation was conducted during 2022 @ 2 kg/ha + Vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha resulted better
at DAV University, Jalandhar, to find out the effect in most of the growth, yield and quality parameters.
of organic manure and bio-fertilizer on growth and
yield of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.). The Keywords Summer squash, Vermicompost, Azoto-
experiment consisted of twelve treatments viz. T1 bacter, Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), Farm
(FYM @ 20 t/ha), T2 (Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha), T3 yard manure, Neem cake.
(Neem cake @ 2.5 t/ha), T4 (Azotobacter @ 4 kg/
ha), T5 (Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha + FYM @ 10 t/ha), INTRODUCTION
T6 (Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha + Vermicompost @2.5 t/
ha), T7 (Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha + neem cake @1.25 Summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) locally known
t/ha), T8 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha), T9 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha + FYM as “Chappan kaddu” is one of the most diversified
@ 20 t/ha), T10 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha + Vermicompost cucurbitaceous crop grown during the summer sea-
@ 5 t/ha), T11 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha + Neem cake @ 2.5 son in tropical and subtropical conditions (Sarhan et
t/ha), T12 (Control : RDF 60:125:25 kg NPK) and al. 2011). It is nutritionally rich vegetable and 100
one variety (Green ball) and laid in RBD with three g of edible portion of summer squash contains 19
replications. Observations were recorded on growth calories, 94 g moisture, 4.2 g carbohydrates, 1.1 g
parameters like plant height, number of days to male protein, 28 mg calcium, 0.2 g fat, 29 mg phosphorus,
flower appearance, number of days to female flower 1 mg sodium, 0.4 mg iron, 202 mg potassium, 1 mg
appearance, number of days to fruit set, number of sodium, 16 mg magnesium, 410 IU of vitamin A,
days to fruit harvest, sex ratio, number of branches, 0.05 mg thiamine, 0.36 mg pantothenic acid, 31 mg
number of fruits per plant per picking, average fruit folvac acid, 0.9 mg riboflavin, 1 mg niacin and 22
weight (g), yield parameter like marketable yield (q/ mg ascorbic acid (Ibraheem et al. 2019). It is mainly
grown in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Ut-
tar Pradesh. In India pumpkin and squash was grown
in an area of 106 (thousand hectare) with a production
of 2218 MT in India (Anonymous a 2021-22). In
Ritika1, Puja Rattan2* Punjab, the production of pumpkin and squash was
Associate Professor (Horticulture)
1, 2
7.82 (thousand tonnes) in an area of 0.45 (thousand
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, DAV University,
ha) (Anonymous b 2021-22).
Jalandhar144012, Punjab, India
Email : [email protected]
*Corresponding author Since this is a short duration and earliest cucurbit
294

that reaches the market during the onset of summer DAV University, Jalandhar in summer season of
season, therefore it fetches higher remunerations. 2022. The treatments included T1 (FYM @ 20 t/ha),
The farmers generally apply the chemical/synthetic T2 (vermicompost @ 5 t/ha), T3 (Neem cake @ 2.5 t/
fertilizers in high and improper quantity for increasing ha), T4 (Azotobacter @ 4 kg/ha), T5 (Azotobacter @
the production ignoring the concern of its harmful 2 kg/ha + FYM @ 10 t/ha), T6 (Azotobacter @ 2 kg/
aftermaths on human health leading to many diseas- ha + Vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha), T7 (Azotobacter @
es. Summer squash requires orderly application of 2 kg/ha + Neem cake @ 1.25 t/ha), T8 (PSB @ 4 kg/
fertilizers which also harms the environment and soil ha), T9 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha + FYM @ 20 t/ha), T10 (PSB
(Sarhan et al. 2011). To sustain the production and @ 4 kg/ha + Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha), T11 (PSB @
conserve the soil quality, it has become important to 4 kg/ha + Neem cake @ 2.5 t/ha), and T12 (Control :
use organic and bio-fertilizers in lieu of chemical/ RDF 60:125:25 kg NPK). The seedlings were trans-
synthetic fertilizers. Organic manures and bio-fertiliz- planted in the field on 25th Feb 2022 with the spacing
ers supply the micro nutrients along with NPK, which 90×60 cm. Treatment wise application of fertilizers
is important for the production and are not harmful was done manually. All the fertilizers were applied to
for human health as they have natural content. The individual plots as per the treatments. First irrigation
organic sector is one of the fastest growing sectors was done immediately after the transplanting. Weeds
all over the world. The organic manures play a vital in summer squash were controlled by hand hoeing at
role in increasing growth, yield and yield components 10-15 days interval. The observations were recorded
of many crops. Organic manure besides being rich on the basis of various growth and quality parame-
in plant nutrients also contains growth promoting ters viz. plant height (cm), days to first male flower
principles like enzymes and hormones which helps appearance, days to first female flower appearance,
in improving soil fertility and productivity. Bio-fer- sex ratio, days to first fruit set, days to first fruit
tilizer is a medium containing living microorganisms harvest, number of branches per plant, number of
which when applied to seed, plant root or soil, col- fruits per plant per picking, average fruit weight (g),
onize in the rhizosphere zone and promote growth marketable yield (q/ha) and TSS. Data analysis was
by increasing the availability of nutrients to the host done on OPSTAT software.
plant. Bio-fertilizers also help in elevating free living
nitrogen-fixing bacteria, enhance the supply of other RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
nutrients, such as phosphorus, potassium, sulfur and
micronutrients, produce plant hormones like cyto- Analysis of variance
kinnins, Indole Acetic acid and Gibberillins (Hassan
et al. 2019). Keeping in view the importance of the Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant
crop and need of switching over from inorganic to differences among treatments for all the character
organic farming for sustainable production the pres- (Table 1).
ent investigation was planned and executed with the
objective to study the effect of organic manure and Table 1. Analysis of variance for growth and yield parameters
bio-fertilizer on growth and yield of summer squash of radish.
(Cucurbita pepo L.). Observations Replication Treatments Error

MATERIALS AND METHODS Plant height (cm) 75.807 4583.117* 9.556

Days to first male
flower appearance 0.222 27.889* 14.444
The variety Green Ball of summer squash was grown Days to first female
to carry out the experiment on effect of organic flower appearance 6.500 42.333* 32.167
manure and bio-fertilizers on growth and yield of Days to first fruit set 20.389 93.222* 1.611
summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) which was laid Days to first fruit
harvest 9.389 260.889* 11.944
out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three Sex ratio 0.011 0.236* 0.023
replications having twelve treatments at the exper- Number of branches
imental farm of Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, on plant 2.007 7.213* 0.420
 295

Table 1. Continued. (2020) in cucumber and Nayak et al. (2016) in pointed

Gourd and Mehdi (2022) and Singh et al. (2015) in
Observations Replication Treatments Error
straw berry and Sharma et al. (2013) in tomato.
Number of fruits per
plant per picking 0.035 12.859* 0.011 Number of days to first male flower and first fe-
Average fruit weight male flower appearance
(g) 158.136 339.483* 18.041
Yield per plant (kg) 0.002 0.010* 0.001
Yield per plot (kg) 0.001 0.161* 0.000 The observations on number of days to first male
Yield per hectare and female flower appearance as affected by organic
(q/ha) 0.217 28.980* 0.083 manures and bio-fertilizers are presented in Table 2.
TSS (˚B) 0.001 1.876* 0.000
Minimum number of days to first male flower ap-
pearance (27.00) was observed in T9 (PSB @ 4 kg/
ha + FYM @ 20 t/ha) which was statistically at par
Plant height (cm) with T6 (Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha + Vermicompost @
2.5 t/ha) (27.33), T4 (Azotobacter @ 4 kg/ha) (28.00),
The observations on plant height as affected by T8 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha) (28.00), T10 (PSB @4 kg/ha +
organic manures and bio-fertilizers are presented Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha) (28.00). T6 (Azotobacter
in Table 2. Perusal of data revealed maximum plant @ 2 kg/ha + Vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha) resulted
height (128.53 cm) in T6 (Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha + in minimum number of days to first female flower
Vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha) which was significantly appearance (33.66) which was statistically at par
highest among all the treatments. Minimum plant with T8 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha) (34.00), T9 (PSB @ 4 kg/
height (90.33 cm) was observed in T4 (Azotobacter ha + FYM @ 20 t/ha) (34.00), T10 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha +
@ 4 kg/ha) which was significantly lowest among Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha) (34.00) and T4 (Azotobacter
all the treatments. @ 4 kg/ha) (34.66). Maximum number of days to
first male flower appearance (30.00) was observed in
Vermicompost has been found effective for im- T12 (control RDF 60 : 125 : 25 kg NPK) which was
proving soil aggregation, structure, fertility, increas- statistically at par with T11 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha + Neem-
ing soil microbial diversity, populations, enzymes, cake @ 2.5 t/ha) (29.33), T7 (Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha
improving moisture-holding capacity and thus leading + Neemcake @ 1.25 t/ha) (29.33), T5 (Azotobacter @
to improved crop growth and yield. Besides this 2 kg/ha + FYM @ 10 t/ha) (29.33), T3 (neemcake @
enhanced plant height with the application of vermi- 2.5 t/ha) (29.33), T2 (Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha) 29.00
compost can be attributed to the fact that it contains and T1 (FYM @ 20 t/ha) (29.00). Maximum number
large amount of humic substances which affects the of days to first female flower appearance (37.00) was
plant growth in the similar manner as affected by the observed in T12 (control RDF 60:125:25 kg NPK)
plant growth regulators (Azarmi et al. 2008, Kumar which was statistically at par with T1 (FYM @ 20 t/
et al. 2015). Azotobacter is responsible for nitrogen ha) (36.33), T5 (Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha + FYM @ 10
fixation delivering combined nitrogen to the plant and t/ha) (36.33), T3 (Neemcake @ 2.5 t/ha) (36.00), T11
the production of phytohormone like substances that (PSB @ 4 kg/ha + Neemcake @ 2.5t/ha) (36.00), T2
alter the plant growth and bacteria nitrate reduction, (Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha) (35.00) and T7 (Azotobacter
which increases nitrogen accumulation in inoculated @ 2 kg/ha + Neemcake @1.25 t/ha) (35.00).
plants and finally improve the growth of plant. Similar
effects on plant height with the application of vermi- Earliness with the application of PSB and FYM
compost and Azotobacter has also been reported by might be due to the enhanced production of growth
earlier researchers viz., Ahmad et al. (2019), Patle substances like gibberellic acid, indole acetic acid,
et al. (2019) and Das et al. (2015) in bottle gourd, dihydrozeatin from bio-fertilizers which had posi-
Thriveni et al. (2015), Prasad et al. (2009), Patel et tive influence on the physiological activity of plants
al. (2020) in bitter gourd. Prabhu et al. (2006), Mohan (Prasad et al. 2009). Promotion of early flowering
et al. (2016), Kumar et al. (2017) and Singh et al. might be due to enhancement in reproductive phase
296

Table 2. Effect of organic manure and bio-fertilizers on growth (48.00) which was significantly maximum among all
parameters of summer squash. the treatments.
Notation
Plant Days to Days to Days to Days to
height male female fruit set fruit Higher returns are the main objective of any
flower flower harvest research program. Higher returns can be obtained by
two ways either by enhancing the yield or by fetching
T1 108.93 29.00 36.33 39.00 45.00
T2 92.33 29.00 35.00 38.00 44.33 the early market. Earliest harvest was observed when
T3 103.68 29.33 36.00 38.00 45.66 plants were supplied with Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha +
T4 90.33 28.00 34.66 35.00 39.66 Vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha. This can be attributed to
T5 100.20 29.33 36.33 37.00 44.00 the fact that the judicious integration of vermicompost
T6 128.53 27.33 33.66 34.66 39.00
T7 102.60 29.33 35.00 37.00 45.00 and bio-fertilizers are capable of supplying optimum
T8 86.13 28.00 34.00 37.00 44.00 level of nutrient along with better soil structure
T9 93.20 27.00 34.00 36.00 40.33 leading to early fruit set and fruit harvest. Tripathi
T10 96.93 28.00 34.00 36.33 43.33 et al. (2015) suggested that early fruit set with the
T11 110.93 29.33 36.00 39.00 47.00
T12 112.26 30.00 37.00 40.33 48.00 application of vermicompost and Azotobacter could
CD 1.12 1.38 2.06 0.38 0.50 be on account of prolonged growth of plants in their
SE(m) 0.38 0.46 0.69 0.13 0.17 presence. Azotobacter is expected to hasten the plant
development (Singh et al. 2015). Thus accumulation
of ample food material for transformation of buds into
due to treatment of relevant combination of Azo- floral buds resulting in early flowering and ensuring
tobacter. Early flowering with the application of early fruit set. The finding are supported by results
bio-fertilizers was also observed by Bindiya et al. observed by Khurshid et al. (2021) in chilli, Prasad
(2006) in cucumber and Das et al. (2015) and Ahmad et al. (2009) in bitter gourd and Mohan et al. (2016)
et al. (2019) and Rabari et al. (2019) in bottle gourd. in cucumber.
Mulani et al. (2007) also observed early female flower
appearance in the treatment containing Vermicompost Presence of organic acids, enzymes and phyto-
and Azotobacter. The findings are lined up with Ah- hormones like auxins and other growth regulators in
mad et al. (2019), Das et al. (2015) and Rabari et al. vermicompost play a key role in early fruiting and
(2019) in bottle gourd, Prasad et al. (2009) in bitter thus leading to early harvesting. The results are in
gourd and Singh et al. (2020) in cucumber. consonance with the finding of Singh et al. (2020)
in cucumber, Prasad et al. (2009) in bitter gourd and
Days to first fruit set and fruit harvest Dutta et al. (2020) in okra.

The observations on days to first fruit set and fruit Sex ratio
harvest as affected by organic manures and bio-fer-
tilizers are presented in Table 2. Data depicted min- The observations on sex ratio as affected by organic
imum days to fruit set (34.66) and first fruit harvest manures and bio-fertilizers are presented in Table
(39.00) was observed in T6 (Azotobacter @2 kg/ha + 3. Perusual of data inferred that T8 (PSB @ 4 kg/
Vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha) which was statistically at ha) resulted in maximum sex ratio (0.76) which
par with T4 (Azotobacter @ 4 kg/ha) (35.00 for days was significantly highest among all the treatments.
to first fruit set) and (39.66 days to first fruit harvest). Whereas, minimum sex ratio (0.46) was observed
Maximum days to first fruit set (40.33) was observed in T5 (Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha + FYM @ 10 t/ha)
in T12 (control RDF 60:125:25 kg NPK) which was which was statistically at par with sex ratio observed
significantly highest among all the treatments. It in T7 (Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha + Neemcake @1.25t/
was statistically at par with T1 (FYM @ 20 t/ha) ha) (0.50).
(39.00) and T11 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha + Neemcake @2.5t/
ha) (39.00). While T12 (control RDF 60 : 125 : 25 kg Sex ratio was calculated as male : Female ratio.
NPK) resulted in maximum days to first fruit harvest So minimum sex ratio is desirable for better yield
 297

Table 3. Effect of organic manure and bio-fertilizers on yield and yield contributing and quality parameters of summer squash.

Notation Sex ratio No. of No. of fruits/ Average fruit Yield per Yield per plot Yield per TSS
branches/ plant/picking weight plant (kg) (kg) hectare
plant (q/ha)

T1 0.60 1.20 5.11 74.97 0.35 1.91 25.46 2.09

T2 0.60 1.53 5.11 77.19 0.38 1.98 26.46 1.92
T3 0.53 1.53 5.32 75.80 0.38 1.97 26.33 1.81
T4 0.66 1.80 5.40 79.91 0.39 2.02 26.90 2.19
T5 0.46 2.20 5.49 79.81 0.40 2.04 27.23 1.72
T6 0.53 2.86 6.96 83.91 0.42 2.14 28.50 2.39
T7 0.50 2.26 6.73 82.19 0.38 2.09 27.90 2.24
T8 0.76 1.40 5.54 76.91 0.38 1.96 26.10 1.69
T9 0.60 1.60 5.41 77.20 0.38 2.00 26.60 2.22
T10 0.60 1.60 5.09 75.49 0.39 1.96 26.16 1.80
T11 0.70 1.40 5.62 73.80 0.36 1.92 25.56 1.95
T12 0.60 1.80 6.13 74.09 0.37 1.92 25.60 1.74
CD 0.05 0.23 0.03 1.54 0.01 0.00 0.10 0.00
SE(m) 0.01 0.08 0.01 0.52 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.00

performance. Mulani et al. (2007) observed that reported maximum number of branches in bitter gourd
in bittergourd maximum sex ratio as indicated by with the application of vermicompost. The results of
female: Male ratio was observed when Azotobacter present study where maximum number of branches
was supplied to the plants. Das et al. (2015) observed was observed with the application of vermicompost
in bottle gourd that with the application of vermi- and Azotobacter can be attributed the fact that ver-
compost combination with bio-fertilizers, there was micompost enhances the soil fertility and nutrient
increased female: male ratio. Prasad et al. (2009) uptake and when it is supplemented with bio-fertilizer
calculated that with the application of bio-fertilizers it also increases the availability of nutrients to the
there was enhanced production of growth substances plants. Vermicompost with bio-fertilizers was shown
like Gibberellic acid and Indole Acetic acid which to increase the number of branches in other crops like
had positive influence on physiological activity of Rumex and Capsicum annuum (Khan and Pariari
plants to induce more female flowers. So the results 2012) and Kalpana et al. (2019) and Khurshid et al.
of present experiment are in good agreement with the (2021) in chilli, Anjanappa et al. (2012) in cucumber;
above mentioned findings. Beenish et al. (2018) in mustard, Mehdi (2022), Patil
and Narayana (2017) in gherkin and Chaudhary et al.
Number of branches per plant (2019) in bottle gaourd.

Effect of organic manures and bio-fertilizers on Number of fruits per plant per picking
number of branches per plant is presented in Table
3. It was observed that T6 (Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha + The observations on number of fruits per plant per
Vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha) resulted in significantly picking as affected by organic manures and bio-fertil-
maximum number of branches per plant (2.86) among izers are presented in Table 3. Perusal of data revealed
all the treatments. Minimum number of branches that T6 (Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha + Vermicompost @
(1.20) was observed in T1 (FYM @ 20 t/ha) which was 2.5 t/ha) resulted in maximum number of fruits per
statistically at par with T8 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha) (1.40) and plant per picking (6.96) which was significantly
T11 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha + Neemcake @ 2.5 t/ha) (1.40). highest among all the treatments whereas, minimum
number of fruits per plant per picking (5.09) was ob-
Maximum number of branches with the appli- served in T10 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha + Vermicompost @ 5 t/
cation of Azotobacter was also observed by Prasad ha) which was statistically at par with T1 (FYM @ 20
et al. (2009) in bitter gourd. Thriveni et al. (2015) t/ha) (5.11) and T2 (Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha) (5.11).
298

Increased number of fruits per plant per picking to the plants. Khurshid et al. (2021) concluded that
is a contributing trait of number of fruits per plant. increase in average fruit weight with the integrated
More the number of fruits per plant more will be the use of vermicompost and bio-fertilizer can be at-
total number of fruits. Highest number of fruits per tributed to better availability and more uptakes of
plant per picking with application of vermicompost nutrients. Increased availability of nitrogen might
and Azotobacter might be due to favorable effect have increased amino acid synthesis which function
of organic manures by supplying essential nutrient as the substrate for plant hormone synthesis and in
in balanced ratio and improving physical, chemical turn resulted in more plant growth including cell
and biological properties of soil which helps in bet- division, cell elongation and cell enlargement. The
ter nutrient absorption and utilization by plant. The results are in agreement with the findings of Patel et
findings are supported by the results observed by al. (2015) and Thriveni et al. (2015) in bitter gourd,
Raturi et al. (2019) in capsicum, Patle et al. (2019) Singh et al. (2014) in strawberry, Kumar et al. (2016),
in bottle gourd, Gupta and Tripathi (2012) in straw- Singh et al. (2020) in cucumber, Raturi et al. (2019)
berry, Thriveni et al. (2015), Saeed et al. (2015) in bell pepper, Ahmad et al. (2019) in bottle gourd
and Mohan et al. (2016) in cucumber and Hassan et and Mehdi et al. (2022).
al. (2019) in squash, Khalil and Agah et al. (2017)
in strawberry, Malo et al. (2022) in cucumber and Yield per plant, per plot (kg) and per hectare (q/ha)
Ujjwal et al. (2022) in brinjal.
Effect of organic manures and bio-fertilizers on yield
Average fruit weight (g) per plant and per plot are presented in Table 3. Data
indicated that T6 (Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha + vermi-
Effected of organic manures and bio-fertilizers on compost @ 2.5 t/ha) resulted in maximum yield per
average fruit weight are presented in Table 3. Perusal plant (0.42 kg), yield per plot (2.14 kg) and yield per
of data revealed maximum average fruit weight (83.91 hectare (28.50 q/ha) which was significantly highest
g) in T6 (Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha + Vermicompost among all the treatments. Minimum yield per plant
@ 2.5 t/ha) which was significantly highest among (0.35 kg) and yield per plot (1.91 kg) was observed
all the treatments. It was statistically at par with T7 in T1 (FYM @ 20 t/ha) which was statistically at par
(Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha + Neemcake @ 1.25 t/ha) with T11 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha + Neemcake @ 2.5 t/ha)
(82.19 g). Minimum average fruit weight (73.80 g) (0.36 kg yield per plant and 1.92 kg per plot). T12
was observed in T11 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha + Neemcake @ (control RDF 60:125:25 kg NPK) was also at par
2.5 t/ha) which was statistically at par with average with T1 (FYM @ 20 t/ha) for yield per plot (1.92 kg)
fruit weight observed in T12 (control RDF 60:125:25 and yield per hectare (25.60 q/ha).
kg NPK) (74.09 g).
Yield contributing traits viz, number of fruits
Fruits having greater fruit length and width per plant, fruit weight, fruit yield per plant might
generally have greater fruit weight. Mohan et al. have lead to the increased yield per plot and yield
(2016) observed higher fruit length and width in per hectare. The incremental role of Azotobacter
treatment combination containing vermicompost and vermicompost in yield per plant per plot and per
and Azotobacter leading to maximum fruit weight hectare could be due the increased photosynthetic
in cucumber. Higher average fruit weight with the ability of plants with the enhanced growth param-
application of vermicompost could be due to avail- eters in the same treatment (Tripathi et al. 2015).
ability of necessary nutrients in adequate quantity as When Azotobacter is applied it multiply and forms
it improves the soil quality. Role of Azotobacter in a thick sheath of bacterial population in the roots
increasing the average fruit weight can be seen its and in due cause of line fixes nitrogen (Prasad et al.
role in protection against the non parasitic pathogens 2017). This released nitrogen is absorbed by the roots
and production of biological active substances like which ultimately help in increased fruit weight and
auxins and gibberellins and transforming unavailable thus enhanced yield. Combined application of vermi-
mineral and organic compounds into available forms compost and Azotobacter could have caused additive
 299

effect in terms of facilitating better soil condition like 0976-4623.2019.00033.1.

improved soil fertility and nitrogen fixation which ul- Anjanappa M, Venkatesha J, Kumara BS (2012) Growth, yield
and quality attributes of cucumber (cv Hassan Local) as
timately enhanced the activities of other microbes and influenced by integrated nutrient management grown under
release of other growth stimulator as well (Chaudhary protected condition. Veg Sci 39 (1) : 47—50.
et al. 2015). The results are in line with the findings Anonymous (2021) National horticulture board 2021.
of Ahmad et al. (2019) in bottle gourd, Sahu et al. Anonymous (2021) Package of practices, PAU, Ludhiana.
Azarmi R, Ziveh PS, Satari MR (2008) Effect of vermicompost
(2020), Prabhu et al. (2006), Singh et al. (2020) in on growth, yield and nutrition status of tomato (Lycopersi-
cucumber, Raturi et al. (2019) in capsicum, Singh cum esculentum). Pak J Biol 11 (14) : 1797—1802.
et al. (2015) and Kumar et al. (2015) in strawberry, Beenish O, Ahmad L, Hussain A, Lal EP (2018) Organic manure
Malo et al. (2020) in cucumber, Mishra et al. (2021) biofertilizers : Effect on the growth and yield of Indian mus-
tard (Brassica juncea L.) varieties. Curr J Appl Sci Technol
in cabbage and Smriti et al. (2018) in okra. 30 : 1—7.
Bindiya Y, Reddy IP, Srihari D, Narayanamma M, Reddy RS
Total soluble solids (TSS) (˚B) (2006) Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth
and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). J Res Angrau
Table 3 represents the observations on TSS as affected 34 (4) : 8—1.
by organic manures and bio-fertilizers. Perusal of data Choudhary K, Netwal M, Garhwal OP, Dhaka P (2022) Effect
revealed maximum TSS (2.39˚B) in T6 (Azotobacter of integrated nutrient management on NPK availability in
@ 2 kg/ha + Vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha) which was soil and their uptake by ridge gourd (Luffa acutan gula L.
(Roxb.)). J Pharm Innov 11 (2) : 1092—1094.
significantly highest among all the treatments. Min- Das R, Mandal AR, Priya A, Das SP, Kabiraj J (2015) Evaluation
imum TSS (1.69) was observed in T8 (PSB @ 4 kg/ of integrated nutrient management on the performance of bo-
ha) which was significantly lowest among all the ttle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.). J Appl
treatments. Nat Sci 7 (1) : 18—25.
Gupta AK, Tripathi VK (2012) Efficacy of Azotobacter and
Increased TSS with the application of Azoto- Vermicompost alone and in combination on vegetative
growth, flowering and yield of strawberry (Fragaria × anan-
bacter and vermicompost may be attributed to the assa Duch.) cv Chandler. Progress Hortic 44 (2) : 256—261.
quick metabolic transformation of starch and pectin Hassan Abou El S, Elmehrat HG, Ibrahim WM, Ragab AA (2019)
into soluble compounds and rapid translocations of Applying biofertilizer and different rates of compost for the
sugars from leaves to the developing fruits. The find- production of squash. Middle East J Appl Sci 9 (2) : 319—
325.
ings are supported by the results observed by Meena et Ibraheem FF, Allel WBAM, Hussien JM (2019) Effect of soil
al. (2017) in tomato, Meena et al. (2017) in broccoli mulching, organic and inorganic fertilizer on growth and
and Kaur and Singh (2019) in onion. yield of summer squash. Int J Agric Stat Sci 15 (2) : 677—
685.
Kalpana JCB, Ojha SK (2019) Co-inoculation effect of Vermi-
CONCLUSION compost and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (Azoto-
bacter sp.) on the growth of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.).
The discussion mentioned earlier about the effect J Pharmacog Phytochem 8 (6) : 2340—2348.
of organic manure and bio-fertilizer on growth and Kaur A, Singh S (2019) Role of various fertilizers and Azotobac-
yield of summer squash brought down to the one fact ter (biofertilizer) on the performance of kharif onion (All-
that use of organic manure and bio-fertilizer plays an ium cepa L.) cv Agrifound Dark Red. J Pharmacog Phyto-
chem 4 : 146—151.
important role in terms of growth and yield. It may Khalil NH, Agah RJ (2017) Effect of chemical, organic and bio-
be concluded that with the application of Azotobacter fertilization on growth and yield of strawberry plant. Int J
@ 2 kg/ha + Vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha gave better Adv Chem Eng Biol Sci 4 (1) : 5.
results in growth, yield and quality parameters can Khan S, Pariari A (2012) Effect of N-Fixing biofertilizers on gro-
wth, yield and quality of chilli (Capsicum annum L.). The
be obtained. Bioscan 7 (3) : 481—482.
Khurshid A, Mushtaq F, Narayan S, Mufti S, Rasool R, Wani IM,
Ahmed N (2021) Effect of various organic manures and bio-
fertilizers on growth and yield of chilli (Capsicum annum L.)
REFERENCES under temperate conditions of Kashmir. Int J Curr Micro-
biol Appl Sci 10 (01) : 3469—3474.
Ahmad M, Singh B, Prakash S, Chaudhary R (2019) Integrated Kumar J, Phookan DB, Barua S (2016) Effect of organic manures
nutrient management for the yield and quality of bottle go- and bio fertilizers on yield and quality of cabbage (Brassica
urd. Ann Hortic 12 (2) : 198—200. https://doi. org/10.5958/ oleracea L. var. capitata). J Eco-friendly Agric 11 (1) : 6—9.
300

Kumar N, Ram RB, Mishra PK (2015) Response of vermicom- tegrated nutrient management in cucumber. Ind J Agric
post and Azotobacter on growth and yield of sweet charlie Res 40 (2) : 123.
strawberry. Int J Agric Sci Res 5 (4) : 13—20. Prasad PH, Mandal AR, Sarkar A, Thapa U, Maity TK (2009)
Kumar S, Datt N, Sandal SK, Sharma SK (2017) Effect of cow Effect of biofertilizers and nitrogen on growth and yield att-
urine and bio-fertilizers based fertigation schedule at varying ributes of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L). In proceed-
levels of drip irrigation on yield, growth, quality parameters ings, International conference on horticulture, pp 738—739.
and economics of cucumber under protected condition. Int Rabari SS, Vadodaria JR, More SG, Acharya MD, Chaudhary
J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci 6 (6) : 1242—1249. BM (2019) Effect of different organic sources of nitrogen
Malo K, Khatun K, Mostarin T, Samad MA, Tania MM, Habiba with biofertilizers on plant growth, flowering and sex expres-
MU, Touhidujjaman M (2022) Effect of integrated nutrient sion of bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria Mol Standl) cv
management on growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sati- Pusa Naveen. Int J Chem Studies 2019 7 (5) : 2384—2387.
vus L.) in winter season. J Glob Agric Eco, pp 1—12. Raturi HC, Uppal GS, Singh SK, Kachwaya DS (2019) Effect
Meena K, Ram RB, Meena ML, Meena JK, Meena DC (2017) of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on growth, yield
Effect of organic manures and bio-fertilizers on growth, and quality of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) grown un-
yield and quality of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. der polyhouse condition. J Pharmacog Phytochem 8 (1) :
italica Plenck.) cv KTS-1. Chem Sci Rev Lett 6 (24) : 1788—1792.
2153—2158. Saeed KS, Ahmed SA, Hassan IA, Ahmed PH (2015) Effect of
Meena ML, Gehlot VS, Meena DC, Kishor S, Kumar S, Meena JK bio-fertilizer and chemical fertilizer on growth and yield in
(2017) Impact of biofertilizers on growth, yield and quality cucumber (Cucumis sativus) in green house condition. Pak
of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) cv Pusa Sheetal. J Biol Sci 18 (3) : 129—134.
J Pharmacog Phytochem 6 (4) : 1579—1583. Sahu P, Tripathy P, Sahu GS, Dash SK, Pattanayak SK, Sarkar
Mehdi N (2022) Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the S, Mishra S (2020) Effect of integrated nutrient management
growth and flowering of Calendula officinalis L. J Pharm on growth and fruit yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.).
Innov 11 (6) : 2131—2135. J Crop Weed 16 (2) : 254—257.
Mishra R, Bisen RK, Agrawal HP, Verma SK (2021) To study Sarhan TZ, Mohammed GH, Teli JA (2011) Effect of bio and or-
the effects of organic, inorganic and biofertlizer on yield ganic fertilizers on growth, yield and fruit quality of sum-
attributes of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata). J mer squash. Sarhad J Agric 27 (3) : 377—383.
Pharmacog Phytochem10 (4) : 133—134. Singh AK, Beer K, Pal AK (2015) Effect of vermicompost and
Mohan L, Singh BK, Singh AK, Moharana DP, Kumar H, Maha- bio-fertilizers on strawberry growth, flowering and yield.
patra A (2016) Effect of integrated nutrient management Ann Pl Soil Res 17 (2) : 196—199.
on growth and yield attributes of cucumber (Cucumis Singh G, Kaur A, Dhillon NS (2020) Response of integrated
sativus L.) cv Swarna ageti under polyhouse conditions. Int nutrient management on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
J Life Sci 12 (1) : 305—308. hybrid under polyhouse conditions. IJCS 8 (6) : 1914—1916.
Mulani TG, Musmade AM, Kadu PP, Mangave KK (2007) Sharma P, Sharma HC, Singh P, Prasad R (2013) Vermicomposts
Effect of organic manures and biofertilizers on growth, yield and biofertilizers for improved tomato productivity and soil
and quality of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) cv properties in degraded soils of lower Himalayas. Ind J Soil
phule green gold. J Soil Crop 17 (2) : 258—261. Conserv 41 : 274—278.
Nayak DA, Pradhan M, Mohanty S, Parida AK, Mahapatra P Smriti S, Ram RB (2018) Effect of organic, inorganic and bio-fer-
(2016) Effect of integrated nutrient management on produc- tilizers on yielding and fruiting traits of okra (Abelmoschus
tivity and profitability of pointed gourd (Trichosanthes esculentus L.). Moench J Pharmacogn Phytochem 7 (5) :
dioica Roxb.). J Crop Weed 12 (1) : 25—31. 90—93.
Patel AR, Patel MV, Chandni V (2020) Effect of integrated nu- Thriveni V, Mishra HN, Pattanayak SK, Sahoo GS, Thomson T
trient management on growth and quality of bitter gourd (2015) Effect of inorganic, organic fertilizers and biofertili-
(Momordica charantia L.). Int J Chem Studies 8 (3) : 2575— zers on growth, flowering, yield and quality attributes of
2576. bitter gourd, Momordica charantia L. Int J Farm Sci 5 (1) :
Patil C, Narayana J (2017) Impact of bio fertilizers along with 24—29.
combination of different level of N, P and K on nutrient up- Tripathi VK, Kumar S, Gupta AK (2015) Influence of Azotobacter
take in gherkin (Cucumis anguria L.). Int J Pl Sci 12 (2) : and vermicompost on growth, flowering, yield and quality
120—124. https://doi.org/10.15740/has/ijps/12.2/120-124. of strawberry cv Chandler. Ind J Hortic 72 (2) : 201—205.
Patle BJ, Wagh AP, Bondre SV, Jawarkar PUA (2019) Effect Ujjwal V, Dev P, Kumar S, Malik A, Kumar R (2022) Effect of
of integrated nutrient management on yield, plant and soil organic manures and bio-fertilizers on vegetative and yield
nutrient status in bottle gourd. IJCS 7 (5) : 4377—4379. parameters of brinjal (Solanum melongena) cv Pant Rituraj.
Prabhu M, Natarajan S, Srinivasan K, Pugalendhi L (2006) In- Flora Fauna 28 : 27—30.