44 © 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. EFFECTS OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC SOURCES OF NUTRIENT ON YIELD, QUALITY AND SHELF LIFE OF BROCCOLI Sushanta Kumar Tarafder1+ Mrityunjoy Biswas2 Md. Abdul Alim3 Asit Baran Mondal4 Mahfujul Alam5 1Department of Agro Product Processing Technology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh and Department of Agricultural Extension, Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh. Email: tarafdersushanta@gmail.com Tel: +88 01712195781 2Department of Agro Product Processing Technology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh. Email: mrityunjoy_appt@just.edu.bd Tel: +8801711240580 3Department of Food Technology and Rural Industries, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Email: maalim07@yahoo.com 4Sustainable Enterprise Project, Rural Reconstruction Foundation, Jashore, Bangladesh. Email: mondalasit90@gmail.com Tel: +88 01712577750. 5Department of Agro Product Processing Technology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh. Email: ma.alam@just.edu.bd (+ Corresponding author) ABSTRACT Article History Received: 30 March 2022 Revised: 9 May 2022 Accepted: 24 May 2022 Published: 6 June 2022 Keywords Broccoli Quality Shelf life Tricho-compost Vermicompost Yield. The study was conducted at Jashore Sadar Upazila, Bangladesh during 2019-20 and 2020-21 to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on yield, quality and shelf life of broccoli through Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications and ten treatments which were: T1 = Soil test based 100% NPK, T2 = Vermicompost 4 t ha-1 + soil test based 50% NPK, T3 = Vermicompost 2 t ha-1 + 100% NPK, T4 =Tricho-compost 2 t ha-1 + 100% NPK, T5=FYM 6 t ha-1 + 100% NPK, T6 = Tricho-compost 4 t ha-1 + 50% NPK, T7 =FYM 12 t ha-1 + 50% NPK, T8= Vermicompost 1 t ha-1 + 125% NPK, T9= Tricho-compost 1 t ha-1 + 125% NPK, T10= FYM 3 t ha-1+125% NPK. Completely Randomized Design was designed to determine the shelf life of broccoli with three replications considering three factors; (i) Organic and inorganic nutrient sources; (ii) storage materials at room temperature (iii) storage materials at cold storage. Findings revealed that treatment T3 produced significantly maximum marketable curd yield 30.57 and 30.23 t ha-1 and the highest Benefit Cost Ratio (3.70 and 3.66) in the respective years. The treatment T2 effectively increased post-harvest quality attributes and also recorded the highest shelf life 8.36 and 8.55 days at room temperature (14-240 C with RH 60-65%), 26.33 and 27.25 days at cold storage (4° C with RH 90-95%) condition using High -Density Polyethylene (HDP; 15 micron) vacuum pack during the years of 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively. Contribution/Originality: This study is one of very few studies which have investigated to evaluate pre- harvest foliar application effects of mineral nutrients on yield, quality and shelf life of broccoli. As a new concept, the study is original. 1. INTRODUCTION Broccoli is one of the most important high value and nutrient rich vegetables of Cole crops belongs to the family Brassicaceae. Broccoli has a reputation as a supper food and it is known to be a healthy and delectable vegetable which is Current Research in Agricultural Sciences 2022 Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 44-58. ISSN(e): 2312-6418 ISSN(p): 2313-3716 DOI: 10.18488/cras.v9i1.3020 © 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0122-8133 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6560-7952 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5988-673X mailto:tarafdersushanta@gmail.com mailto:mrityunjoy_appt@just.edu.bd mailto:maalim07@yahoo.com mailto:mondalasit90@gmail.com mailto:ma.alam@just.edu.bd https://www.doi.org/10.18488/cras.v9i1.3020 Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2022, 9(1): 44-58 45 © 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. wealthy in many supplements. Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse full of vitamins, minerals, fibers and antioxidants that support many dimensions of human health [1-3]. Broccoli is also considered a low Glycemic Index (GI=10) wonder food for diabetics [4]. Global production of broccoli was 27 million tons in 2019. Out of this, 73% broccoli production accounted by China and India. The rest of production supplemented by USA, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Bangladesh, Poland and France [5]. Farmers of Bangladesh are very much interested to produce and extent broccoli for its high value. Application of balanced fertilizers is essential to produce high quality and potential yield of broccoli for getting maximum returns [6]. Most of the farmers in Bangladesh are not aware of the use of balanced fertilizers and they produce different vegetables without maintaining proper dose of fertilizers to test the soil. Generally, to get higher yield the farmers are indiscriminately using chemical fertilizers without addition of sufficient quantities of organic manures which are responsible for the improvement of soil health including vegetables high value and shelf life [7]. Only chemical fertilizers may accelerate the crops yield initially but it has adverse effects later on Gupta, et al. [8]. On the other hand, organic manure has the capability to meet up the need based essential plant nutrients for maintain the quality attributes as well as improved properties of soil health [9]. Organic manures viz., Tricho- compost, Vermicompost and FarmYard Manure (FYM) which are able to maximize the crop’s yield and protect from devastating pests and environmental pollution resulting researchers interest on the use of organic manures avoiding synthetic chemicals. Therefore, use of organic fertilizers combined with inorganic fertilizers leads to higher yield, better quality, and increased shelf life and also improves soil health. Preservation capability of broccoli is comparatively poor than other Cole crops like cauliflower. Yellowing is the main problem in post-harvest life of broccoli which leads to poor marketability due to consumer dislike [10]. Farmers are not aware about the shelf life of broccoli. They apply huge amount of chemical fertilizers and pesticides often overdoses, more frequencies and even mixing of two or more chemicals as cocktail formulation to achieve better yield during production [11]. Consequently, the storage longevity of broccoli reduces spontaneously. In this circumstance, it is essential to improve post- harvest quality and lingering the shelf life of the said crop. The investigator opined that application of appropriate organic manures viz. Vermicompost, Tricho-compost and Farm Yard Manure (FYM) in combination with chemical fertilizers is one of the best options to maintain the shelf life of broccoli. Packaging materials help not only to keep these vegetables from drying out but also to preserve nutritive value, flavour, texture and color [12]. Polyethylene bag delayed color change due to synchronized effect of increased humidity and fluctuated atmosphere composition [13]. Vacuum pack with low temperature (storage at 40 C with 95% RH) is the effective technique to maintain the shelf life of broccoli [14]. Hence, this study also focuses on low cost technology like, Low- Density Polyethylene (LDP; 35 micron) bag, High -Density Polyethylene (HDP; 15 micron) vacuum pack, 2% egg shell powder and 2% ascorbic acid solution to sustain the shelf life of broccoli both at room temperature and cold storage condition. Very few investigators studied partially on the above context. Considering above all, the investigator would like to take an in -depth study on "The effects of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nutrient on Yield, Quality and Shelf life of Broccoli". 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS The field study was conducted in the Rabi seasons at Chanchra, Jashore Sadar Upazila, Jashore, of Bangladesh during the years 2019-20 and 2020-21. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) had been followed including ten treatments and three replications which were; T1 = Soil test based 100% NPK, T2 = Vermicompost 4 t ha-1 + soil test based 50% NPK, T3 = Vermicompost 2 t ha-1 + 100% NPK, T4 =Tricho-compost 2 t ha-1 + 100% NPK, T5=FYM 6 t ha-1 + 100% NPK, T6 = Tricho-compost 4 t ha-1 + 50% NPK, T7 =FYM 12 t ha-1 + 50% NPK, T8= Vermicompost 1 t ha-1 + 125% NPK, T9= Tricho-compost 1 t ha-1 + 125% NPK, T10= FYM 3 t ha-1+125% NPK. The soil test based synthetic fertilizers was: N115 P30 K75S20Zn3B1kgha-1. ‘Green Crown’ variety of broccoli was used for conducting the field experiment. Before sowing on the nursery bed, seeds were treated by Thiram @ 2.5 g per kg of seeds. Healthy and appropriate age of seedlings (21 days) had been transplanted to the experimental plots of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2022, 9(1): 44-58 46 © 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. size 3m2m at spacing of 50 cm40 cm as per layout on the 20th November 2019 during the first year and 16th November 2020 during the second year. According to treatment half of organic manures (Vermicompost, Tricho- compost and FYM) including TSP, Gypsum, zinc sulphate (Mono) and Boric acid had been used as basal in the respective plots. Rests of organic manures were incorporated in the pits prior to plant seedlings. Urea and Mop fertilizers were used as equal three splits at 15, 30 and 45 days after transplanting and mixed well. Improved intercultural operations were pursued well in all the research plots. The crop was irrigated and managed pests through biological methods meticulously. Broccoli curds were harvested before the buds opened on 22-29 January 2020 during the first year and 17-25 January 2021 during the second year respectively. The observation associated with yield and its contributing characteristics (curd length and diameter, marketable curd weight (g), marketable yield t ha-1 recorded taking five plants randomly each experimental plot in each replication. Quality indices of broccoli viz. colour, compactness and texture were detected in fresh and stored condition. The numerical ratings for broccoli quality indices detected were quantified on a scale from 1 to 5 point hedonic scales [15] as per Table 1. Table 1. Description of numerical ratings for broccoli quality (According to 1 to 5 point hedonic scale [15]*. Scale Ranges of Scores Rating for Quality attributes of broccoli Color Compactness Texture 1 4.50-5.00 Dark green Very compact Highly crispy 2 3.50-4.49 Green Compact Crispy 3 2.50-3.49 Light green Medium compact Moderately crispy 4 1.50-2.49 Light yellow Slightly loose Soft 5 1.00-1.49 Very yellow Loose Very soft Note: *Refer to Table 1 for rating and indicating quality of broccoli. In order to determine different nutrients content in fresh and stored broccoli curd, samples of each treatment were analyzed in the laboratory of Nutrition and Food Technology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh. The standard methods were used to determine Vitamin C [16], Anti-oxidants DPPH free radical scavenging activity [17] and Phenols [18] respectively. To ascertain the shelf life for the said crop the following experimental design and methodology was followed as per the Figure 1. Figure 1. Flow chart of the details of the experimental design for shelf life evaluation. The recorded data of various characters were analyzed with the help of Statistical Tool for Agricultural Research (STAR) Program and the mean values of all the treatments had been adjudged by Tukeye's test at 5% level of probability for interpretation. Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2022, 9(1): 44-58 47 © 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3.1. Yield Attributing Characteristics and Yield 3.1.1. Curd Length and Diameter The perusal of data Table 2 revealed that maximum curd length 20.47 and 20.36 cm, curd diameter 21.63 and 21.56 cm were observed in the treatment T3 (Vermicompost 2 t ha-1+ soil test based 100% NPK) as compared to other treatments in the year of 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively. Whereas, minimum curd length 11.33 and 11.39 cm and curd diameter 12.36 and 12.25 cm were recorded in treatment T10 (Farm Yard Manure 3 t ha-1+ soil test based 125% NPK) during 2019-20 and 2020-21 years respectively. As a result of increased the rate of photosynthesis and carbohydrates accumulation in the curd which accelerated length and diameter due to the synergistic action of different nutrient sources mentioned above. These findings corroborate with the findings of Lodhi, et al. [19] and Dash, et al. [20] in broccoli and Bhowal, et al. [21] in cauliflower. 3.1.2. Marketable Curd Weight per Plant The perusal of data (Table 1 and 2) revealed that marketable maximum curd weight per plant 611.46 and 604.45 g were recorded in the treatment T3 (Vermicompost 2 t ha-1+ soil test based 100% NPK) as compared to other treatments in the year of 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively. Whereas, marketable minimum curd weight per plant 328.70 and 325.15 g were noted in T10 (Farm Yard Manure 3 t ha-1+ soil test based 125% NPK) during 2019- 20 and 2020-21 years respectively. This might have been the better performance on potential vegetative growth which influenced in the deposition of more carbohydrates accumulation in curd and synergistic action of different nutrient sources. These findings corroborate with the findings of broccoli [22, 23] and cauliflower [21]. 3.1.3. Marketable Curd Yield The perusal of data in Table 2 revealed that significantly maximum marketable curd yield 30.57 and 30.23 t ha- 1 were observed in the treatment T3 (Vermicompost 2 t ha-1 +100% NPK) followed by T4 (Tricho-compost 2 t ha- 1+100% NPK) with marketable curd yield 28.25 and 28.15 t ha-1, T5 (FYM 6 t ha-1+100% NPK) with marketable curd yield 26.28 and 26.43 t ha-1, T1 (Soil test based 100% NPK) with marketable curd yield 24.52 and 23.76 t ha-1, T2 (Vermicompost 4 t ha-1 +soil test based 50% NPK) with marketable curd yield 22.36 and 21.67 t ha-1, T6 (Tricho- compost 4 t ha-1 +50% NPK) with marketable curd yield 20.76 and 20.54 t ha-1, T7 (FYM 12 t ha-1+50% NPK) with marketable curd yield 19.59 and 19.43 t ha-1, T8 (Vermicompost 1 t ha-1+125% NPK) with marketable curd yield 18.16 and 17.86 t ha-1, T9 (Tricho-compost 1 t ha-1+125% NPK) with marketable curd yield 17.56 and 17.33 t ha-1 in the year of 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively. Whereas, minimum marketable curd yield 16.43 and 16.26 t ha-1 were noted in treatment T10 (FYM 3 t ha-1+125% NPK) in the year of 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively. This might have been the better performance on potential vegetative growth which influenced in the deposition of more carbohydrates accumulation in curd and synergistic action of different nutrient sources helped to meet up need based essential nutrients to plants and enhanced the rate of photosynthesis during growth and development of the broccoli bunches and consequently produced maximum marketable curd yield. These findings corroborate with the findings of broccoli [22-24] and cauliflower [21]. 3.4. Quality Attributes 3.4.1. Physioco-Chemical Analysis of Fresh Broccoli 3.4.1.1. Sensory Evaluation of colour, Compactness and Texture The perusal of data in Table 3 revealed that maximum colour rating 4.97, 4.79, compactness rating 4.85,4.77, texture rating 4.75 and 4.67 were detected in the treatment T2 (Vermicompost 4 t ha-1 +soil test based 50% NPK in the year of 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively. Whereas, minimum colour rating 3.53, 3.44, compactness rating 3.25, Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2022, 9(1): 44-58 48 © 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 3.19, texture rating 3.39 and 3.25 were noted in treatment T1 (Soil test based 100% NPK) in the year of 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively. This finding corroborates with [10]. Table 2. Effects of organic and inorganic sources of nutrient on yield attributes and yield of broccoli. Treatment Curd length (cm) Curd diameter (cm) Marketable curd weight per plant (g) Marketable curd yield (t ha-1) 2019-20 2020-21 2019-20 2020-21 2019-20 2020-21 2019-20 2020-21 T1 16.45abc 16.39abc 17.57abcd 17.42abc 490.33abcd 475.17abc 24.52abcd 23.76abc T2 14.67abc 14.55abc 15.75bcd 15.66abc 447.14abcd 433.34abc 22.36abcd 21.67abc T3 20.47a 20.36a 21.63a 21.56a 611.46a 604.55a 30.57a 30.23a T4 18.23ab 18.07ab 19.56ab 19.48ab 565.05ab 563.01ab 28.25ab 28.15ab T5 17.25abc 17.33abc 18.45abc 15.88abc 525.65abc 528.69abc 26.28abc 26.43abc T6 14.33abc 14.25abc 15.39bcd 15.25abc 415.12bcd 410.73abc 20.76bcd 20.54abc T7 13.76bc 13.69bc 14.27bcd 14.22bc 391.79bcd 388.61bc 19.59bcd 19.43bc T8 12.63bc 12.36bc 13.53cd 13.46bc 363.11cd 357.24bc 18.16cd 17.86bc T9 12.49bc 12.33bc 13.48cd 13.37bc 351.17cd 346.57c 17.56cd 17.33c T10 11.33c 11.39c 12.36d 12.25c 328.70d 325.15c 16.43d 16.26c SEm 1.72 1.76 1.51 1.92 54.22 58.90 2.71 2.95 LSD(P=0.05) 0.10 0.09 0.01 0.28 0.05 0.12 0.05 0.12 Note: Means in the column followed by different letter(s) differed significantly by DMRT at (P=0.05) level of significance. Here, T1 = Soil test based 100% NPK, T2 = Vermicompost 4 t ha-1 + soil test based 50% NPK, T3 = Vermicompost 2 t ha-1 + 100% NPK, T4 =Tricho-compost 2 t ha-1 + 100% NPK, T5= FYM 6 t ha-1 + 100% NPK, T6 = Tricho-compost 4 t ha-1 + 50% NPK, T7 =FYM 12 t ha-1 + 50% NPK, T8= Vermicompost 1 t ha-1 + 125%NPK, T9= Tricho-compost 1 t ha-1 + 125% NPK, T10= FYM 3t ha-1+125% NPK. Table 3. Quality indices of fresh broccoli as influenced by organic and inorganic sources of nutrient. Treatment Quality indices of fresh broccoli Color rating score Compactness rating score Texture rating score 2019-20 2020-21 2019-20 2020-21 2019-20 2020-21 T1 3.53 d 3.44 c 3.25 c 3.19c 3.39 b 3.25 d T2 4.97 a 4.79 a 4.85 a 4.77 a 4.75 a 4.67 a T3 4.49 ab 4.41ab 4.33 b 4.26 b 4.45 a 4.21 ab T4 4.33 bc 4.17 b 4.25 b 4.19 b 3.83 b 3.75 bc T5 3.95 cd 3.63 c 3.49 c 3.45 c 3.75 b 3.63 cd LSD (P=0.05) 0.14 0.13 0.01 0.01 0.08 0.09 Note: Means in the column followed by different letter(s) differed significantly by DMRT at (P=0.05) level of significance. Here, T1 = Soil test based 100% NPK, T2 = Vermicompost 4 t ha-1 +soil test based 50% NPK, T3 = Vermicompost 2 t ha-1 +100% NPK, T4 =Tricho-compost 2 t ha- 1+100% NPK, T5 =FYM 6 t ha-1+100% NPK. 3.4.1.2. Chemical Analysis of Fresh Broccoli Curds The perusal of data in Table 4 and 5 revealed that maximum dry matter 16.37%,16.25%, carbohydrates 5.33 g, 5.45 g, vitamin C, 89.54 mg /100 g ,89.73 mg/ 100 g, anti oxidants, 74.29 mg/ 100 g, 75.33 mg/100 g, phenols, 43.69 mg/ 100 g, 45.33 mg/100 g were recorded in the treatment T2 (Vermicompost @ 4 t ha-1 +Soil test based 50% NPK) in the year of 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively except protein which was maximum noted in treatment T1. (Soil test based 100% NPK). It might be due to synergistic effects of vermcompost with inorganic nutrient sources helped to meet up need based essential nutrients to plants and enhanced the rate of photosynthesis during growth and development of the broccoli bunches and consequently produced maximum dry matter, carbohydrates, vitamin C, antioxidants and phenols in broccoli curd. This finding corroborates with Mohanta, et al. [22]; Singh, et al. [24]; Zaki, et al. [25]. 3.5. Physioco-Chemical Analysis of Stored Broccoli 3.5.1. Sensory Evaluation of Colour, Compactness and Texture The perusal of data in Table 6 revealed that maximum colour rating 4.19, 4.29, compactness rating 3.95, 4.29, texture rating 4.21 and 4.17 were detected in the treatment T2 (Vermicompost 4 t ha-1 +Soil test based 50% NPK) using High -Density Polyethylene (HDP; 15 micron) vacuum pack after 20 days at cold storage (40 C with RH 90- 95%) condition in the year of 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively. Whereas, minimum colour rating 1.77,1.71, Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2022, 9(1): 44-58 49 © 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. compactness rating 2.33,2.47, texture rating 1.81 and 1.99 were noted in the treatment T1 (Soil test based 100% NPK) after 12 days at open place condition within cold storage in the year of 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively. Similarly, when broccoli curds stored at room temperature (14-240 C with RH 70-75%), maximum colour rating 4.23, 4.33, compactness rating 4.17,4.37, texture rating 3.97 and 4.25 were detected in the same treatment T2 using High -Density Polyethylene (HDP; 15 micron) vacuum pack after 5 days in the year of 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively. Minimum colour rating 1.63, 1.69, compactness rating 2.25,2.33, texture rating 1.75 and 1.83 were noted in treatment T1 (Soil test based 100% NPK) after 3 days at room temperature (14-240 C with RH 60-65%) condition. This finding corroborates with Chingtham and Banik [10]. Table 4. Effects of organic and inorganic sources of nutrient-on-nutrient content in fresh broccoli curd (2019-20). Treatment Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) Carbohy- drates(g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidants (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) T1 10.49 c 2.69 a 2.85 c 70.33 c 57.13 c 28.55 c T2 16.37 a 2.17 c 5.33 a 89.54 a 74.29 a 43.69 a T3 13.45 b 2.55 ab 4.05 b 81.79 b 67.33 b 38.47 ab T4 12.33 bc 2.43 abc 3.49 bc 79.46 b 65.46 b 36.65 b T5 12.17 bc 2.35 bc 3.27 bc 77.13 bc 64.24 b 36.49 b SEm 1.09 0.1237 0.4001 3.13 3.01 2.84 LSD(P=0.05) 0.66 2.46 0.21 0.34 0.59 0.87 Table 5. Effects of organic and inorganic sources of nutrient on nutrient content in fresh broccoli curd (2020-21). Treatment Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) Carbohydrates(g) Vitamin C (mg/100g) Antioxidants (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) T1 10.45 c 2.68 a 2.83 c 70.26 c 56.75 c 28.48 c T2 16.25 a 2.23 c 5.45 a 89.73 a 75.33 a 45.33 a T3 13.36 b 2.49 ab 4.08 b 82.17 b 69.27 ab 38.66 b T4 12.45 bc 2.38 bc 3.53 bc 79.25 b 65.56 b 36.47 b T5 12.09 bc 2.27 c 3.25 bc 77.33 bc 64.45 b 36.13 b SEm 0.9095 0.0852 0.4001 3.12 3.10 2.84 LSD(P=0.05) 0.24 0.43 0.15 0.30 0.37 0.46 Note: Means in the column followed by different letter(s) differed significantly by DMRT at (P=0.05) level of significance. Here, T1 = Soil test based 100% NPK, T2 = Vermicompost 4 t ha-1 +soil test based 50% NPK, T3 = Vermicompost 2 t ha-1 +100% NPK, T4 =Tricho-compost 2 t ha-1+100% NPK, T5 =FYM 6 t ha-1+100% NPK. 3.5.2. Chemical Analysis of Post-Storage Broccoli Curds at Maximum Shelf-Life Stage A cursory glance of Table 7 and 8 revealed that maximum appreciable amount of nutrients viz. carbohydrates 5.25 g, 5.23 g, vitamin C 86.33 mg/100 g, 83.13 mg/100 g, antioxidants 70.27 mg/100 g, 67.88 mg/100 g, phenols 41.66 mg/100 g and 41.16 mg/100 g were found to be retained in the treatment T2 (Vermicompost 4 t ha-1 +Soil test based 50% NPK) along with High -Density Polyethylene (HDP; 15 micron) vacuum pack at cold storage condition (40 C with RH 90-95%) up to maximum 26.33 and 27.25 days in the year of 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively which is less than the nutrients 1.50%, 3.58%, 5.41% and 4.65% respectively in fresh broccoli curds as mentioned in table 4 in the year of 2019-2020 and 4.04%,7.36%, 9.89% and 9.20% respectively less than the nutrients in fresh broccoli curds as mentioned in table 5 in the year of 2020-2021. Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2022, 9(1): 44-58 50 © 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. Table 6. Effects of pre-harvest application of organic and inorganic nutrient sources and storage condition along with each level of storage materials on nutrients content in broccoli curd at maximum shelf life stage (2019-2020). A) Using Low -Density Polyethylene (LDP; 35 micron) bag. Treatment Nutrients content At room temp.(14-240 C with RH 60-65%) Nutrients content At cold storage (40 C with RH 90-95%) Dry Matter (%) Protein(g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidants (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidant (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) T1 9.05c 2.56a 2.69c 61.43c 46.13c 21.57c 9.25c 2.59a 2.75c 63.27c 49.34c 22.78c T2 15.03a 2.03c 5.03a 81.45a 66.47a 38.25a 16.05a 2.11c 5.19a 83.58a 67.42a 39.35a T3 12.15b 2.41ab 3.85b 72.26b 58.36b 33.27ab 12.93b 2.44ab 3.87b 74.86b 60.33b 33.78ab T4 10.95bc 2.26bc 3.19bc 70.34b 55.63b 31.53b 11.75bc 2.30bc 3.31bc 72.51b 58.21b 31.81b T5 10.33bc 2.15bc 2.91c 68.29bc 55.77b 29.55b 11.03bc 2.23bc 3.05bc 70.19bc 58.79b 30.83b LSD (P=0.05) 0.52 1.79 0.24 0.27 0.20 0.43 0.26 3.31 0.21 0.24 0.44 0.49 B) Using High -Density Polyethylene (HDP; 15 micron) vacuum pack. Treatment Nutrients content At room temp.(14-24 0C with RH 60-65%) Nutrients content At cold storage (40 C with RH 90-95%) Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidants (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidant (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) T1 9.25c 2.61a 2.73c 63.31c 49.25c 23.36c 10.41c 2.63a 2.79c 66.25 52.36c 25.53c T2 15.13a 2.09c 5.14a 83.26a 68.23a 39.47a 16.31a 2.14c 5.25a 86.33 70.27a 41.66a T3 12.26b 2.46ab 3.93b 74.37b 60.56b 34.35ab 13.38b 2.49ab 4.01b 77.65 63.23b 36.41ab T4 11.07bc 2.32bc 3.31bc 72.14b 58.37b 32.36b 12.28bc 2.36abc 3.39bc 75.36 61.16b 34.52b T5 10.64bc 2.23bc 3.05bc 70.33bc 58.63b 30.63b 12.09bc 2.29bc 3.21bc 73.12 61.77b 33.56b LSD (P=0.05) 0.60 2.20 0.22 0.27 0.33 0.54 0.65 3.20 0.22 0.26 0.47 0.57 C) Treated with 2% egg shell powder solution. Treatment Nutrients content at room temp.(14-240 C with RH 60-65%) Nutrients content at cold storage (40 C with RH 90-95%) Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidants (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidant (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) T1 8.75c 2.51a 2.61c 59.32c 43.56c 19.46c 9.09c 2.57a 2.69c 61.35c 47.16c 20.45c T2 13.63a 1.95c 4.93a 79.36a 64.13a 36.37ab 15.75a 2.08c 5.05a 81.36a 65.75a 37.52a T3 10.25b 2.36ab 3.75b 70.15b 56.21b 31.16b 12.27b 2.41ab 3.75b 72.73b 58.47b 31.73ab T4 10.47b 2.18bc 3.03bc 68.27b 52.47b 29.37b 11.15bc 2.24bc 3.17bc 70.25b 56.33b 29.64b T5 9.65bc 2.07c 2.81c 66.35bc 52.33b 26.45b 10.83bc 2.17bc 2.95bc 68.36bc 56.76b 28.58b LSD (P=0.05) 0.02 1.22 0.24 0.27 0.18 0.37 0.30 2.54 0.24 0.26 0.37 0.40 Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2022, 9(1): 44-58 51 © 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. D) Treated with 2% ascorbic acid solution. Treatment Nutrients content At room temp.(14-240 C with RH 60-65%) Nutrients content At cold storage (40 C with RH 90-95%) Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidants (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidant (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) T1 8.71c 2.49a 2.55c 56.44c 40.25c 18.33c 9.01c 2.55a 2.63c 58.81c 44.91c 18.11c T2 13.47a 1.91c 4.75a 76.29a 62.17a 35.25a 15.63a 2.05c 4.95a 79.21a 63.92a 35.72a T3 10.04b 2.33ab 3.61b 67.13b 54.13b 30.13ab 12.17b 2.36ab 3.67b 70.48b 56.33b 29.63ab T4 10.33b 2.13bc 2.94bc 65.22b 49.56b 28.31b 11.03bc 2.18bc 3.05bc 67.92b 54.14b 27.44b T5 9.53bc 2.03c 2.67c 63.46bc 49.75b 25.37b 10.75bc 2.11bc 2.88bc 65.91bc 54.55b 26.33b LSD (P=0.05) 0.03 0.97 0.31 0.29 0.11 0.37 0.31 2.05 0.26 0.23 0.32 0.33 E) Control (at open place). Treatment Nutrients content At room temp.(14-240 C with RH 60-65%) Nutrients content At cold storage (40 C with RH 90-95%) Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidants (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidant (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) T1 6.75c 2.43a 2.35c 53.52c 38.17c 16.46c 7.71c 2.51a 2.56b 56.48c 42.35c 15.72c T2 11.23a 1.75bc 4.47a 74.13a 60.21a 33.33a 14.51a 1.81c 4.75a 77.34a 61.72a 33.67a T3 8.16b 2.18ab 3.49b 65.27b 51.33b 28.35ab 11.25b 2.25ab 3.47b 68.31b 54.01b 27.46ab T4 8.56b 1.35c 2.76bc 63.20b 46.47b 26.61b 10.46b 2.10b 2.93b 65.67b 51.69b 25.19b T5 8.14b 1.95ab 2.53c 60.73bc 46.63b 23.44b 9.48bc 2.03bc 2.74b 63.62bc 52.04b 23.97b LSD (P=0.05) 0.06 1.46 86.02 0.40 0.22 0.10 0.37 0.27 0.49 0.36 0.20 0.28 Note: Means in the column followed by different letter(s) differed significantly by DMRT at (P=0.05) level of significance. Here, T1 = Soil test based 100% NPK, T2 = Vermicompost 4 t ha-1 +Soil test based 50% NPK, T3 = Vermicompost 2 t ha-1 +100% NPK, T4 =Tricho-compost 2 t ha-1+100% NPK, T5 =FYM 6 t ha-1+100% NPK. Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2022, 9(1): 44-58 52 © 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. Table 7. Effects of pre-harvest application of organic and inorganic nutrient sources and storage condition along with each level of storage materials on nutrients content in broccoli curd at maximum shelf life stage (2020-2021). A) Using Low -Density Polyethylene (LDP; 35 micron) bag. Treatment Nutrients content At room temp.(14-240 C with RH 60-65%) Nutrients content At cold storage (40 C with RH 90-95%) Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidants (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidant (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) T1 8.95c 2.49a 2.66c 60.13c 46.85c 22.07c 9.25c 2.53a 2.71c 61.68c 47.31c 22.42c T2 14.83a 2.01b 5.19a 82.26a 67.23a 39.25a 16.07a 2.09b 5.23a 83.13a 67.88a 41.16a T3 11.91b 2.33a 3.81b 73.37b 60.15b 33.13ab 12.90b 2.36ab 3.85b 74.75b 60.64b 34.31b T4 10.63bc 2.21ab 2.37c 70.25b 57.26b 30.67b 11.59bc 2.25ab 3.21bc 71.39b 56.71b 31.95b T5 9.69bc 1.51c 3.05bc 68.39b 54.30b 28.25bc 10.95bc 2.17b 3.11bc 69.21b 55.46b 31.13b LSD (P=0.05) 0.46 0.04 0.07 0.14 0.17 0.34 0.24 4.95 0.18 0.16 0.16 0.23 B) Using High -Density Polyethylene (HDP; 15 micron) vacuum pack. Treatment Nutrients content At room temp.(14-240 C with RH 60-65%) Nutrients content At cold storage (40 C with RH 90-95%) Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidants (mg/100g Phenol (mg/100g Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidant (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) T1 9.13c 2.53a 2.71c 62.56c 49.73c 23.15c 10.33c 2.57a 2.77c 65.93c 52.01c 25.43c T2 15.05a 2.07c 5.26a 84.13a 69.46a 40.73a 16.14a 2.13b 5.31a 86.43a 71.58a 43.26a T3 12.07b 2.37ab 3.93b 75.47b 62.25b 34.26ab 13.21b 2.41ab 4.03b 78.25b 64.94ab 36.51b T4 10.80bc 2.27abc 2.45c 72.35b 59.13b 32.35b 12.21bc 2.33ab 3.35bc 75.14b 61.11b 34.25b T5 10.64bc 2.14bc 3.13bc 70.56b 56.76b 30.47b 11.96bc 2.19b 3.25bc 73.13bc 59.96b 33.63b LSD (P=0.05) 0.59 3.60 0.07 0.16 0.21 0.33 0.72 4.43 0.18 0.22 0.23 0.32 C) Treated with 2% egg shell powder solution. Treatment Nutrients content At room temp.(14-240 C with RH 60-65%) Nutrients content At cold storage (40 C with RH 90-95%) Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidants (mg/100g Phenol (mg/100g) Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidant (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) T1 8.69b 2.43a 2.59c 58.56c 43.75c 20.23c 9.15c 2.49a 2.67c 57.35c 42.81 19.37c T2 13.45a 1.91c 5.03a 80.13a 65.36a 37.46a 15.83a 2.03c 5.15a 79.81a 64.13 38.98a T3 10.07b 2.25ab 3.75b 71.25b 58.21b 31.25ab 12.26b 2.33ab 3.79b 71.22b 56.29 32.06b T4 9.57b 2.13bc 2.30c 68.17b 55.33b 28.36b 11.13bc 2.21abc 3.13bc 67.54b 52.26 29.63b T5 9.06b 1.44d 2.93bc 66.43b 51.66b 26.17bc 10.77bc 2.14bc 3.03bc 65.23b 50.99 28.53b LSD (P=0.05) 1.45 0.04 0.08 0.16 0.11 0.33 0.28 4.26 0.18 0.11 0.13 0.17 Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2022, 9(1): 44-58 53 © 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. D) Treated with 2% ascorbic acid solution. Treatment Nutrients content At room temp.(14-240 C with RH 60-65%) Nutrients content At cold storage (40 C with RH 90-95%) Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidants (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidant (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) T1 8.65b 2.39a 2.56c 55.63c 41.47d 18.55c 8.93c 2.43a 2.59c 55.25c 40.33c 18.65c T2 13.37a 1.85c 4.96a 77.46a 63.13a 35.47a 15.45a 1.95b 4.92a 79.33a 62.38a 37.65a T3 10.04b 2.21ab 3.67b 68.23b 55.25b 29.53ab 12.09b 2.23ab 3.67b 69.52b 54.06b 30.56b T4 9.51b 2.08bc 2.17c 66.16b 50.13bc 27.25b 10.91bc 2.09b 3.03bc 65.69b 49.91b 28.05b T5 9.02b 1.37d 2.83bc 63.13b 46.37cd 24.36bc 10.47bc 2.03b 2.83bc 63.33b 48.59b 26.85b LSD (P=0.05) 1.52 0.03 0.08 0.15 0.08 0.37 0.32 3.09 0.25 0.07 0.10 0.20 E) Control. Treatment Nutrients content at room temp.(14-240 C with RH 60-65%) Nutrients content at cold storage (40 C with RH 90-95%) Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidants (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) Dry Matter (%) Protein (g) CHO (g) Vitamin c (mg/100g) Antioxidant (mg/100g) Phenol (mg/100g) T1 6.77b 2.35a 2.49c 52.73c 39.43d 17.23c 7.69c 2.38a 2.44c 54.33c 39.15c 16.05c T2 11.16a 1.73c 4.63a 74.27a 61.25a 33.46a 14.43a 1.83c 4.76a 78.58a 61.33a 35.60a T3 8.10b 2.15ab 3.59b 65.75b 52.16b 27.57ab 11.35b 2.19ab 3.45b 68.72b 52.96b 28.33b T4 7.61b 2.04b 2.03c 64.14b 47.27bc 25.35b 10.35b 2.07bc 2.87bc 64.82b 48.76b 25.63b T5 7.56b 1.31d 2.71bc 60.36b 43.15cd 22.79bc 9.53bc 2.01bc 2.77 bc 62.43b 47.46b 24.35b LSD (P=0.05) 2.72 0.02 0.13 0.16 0.07 0.49 0.28 1.99 0.29 0.07 0.10 0.17 Note: Means in the column followed by different letter(s) differed significantly by DMRT at (P=0.05) level of significance. Here, T1 = Soil test based 100% NPK, T2 = Vermicompost 4 t ha-1 +Soil test based 50% NPK, T3 = Vermicompost 2 t ha-1 +100% NPK, T4 =Tricho-compost 2 t ha-1+100% NPK, T5 =FYM 6 t ha-1+100% NPK. Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2022, 9(1): 44-58 54 © 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. Similarly, when broccoli curds stored at room temperature (14-240 C with RH 60-65%), the various nutrients viz. carbohydrates 5.14 g, 5.19 g ,vitamin C 83.26 mg/100 g, 82.26 mg/100 g, antioxidants 68.23 mg/100 g, 67.23 mg/100 g, phenols 39.47 mg/100 g and 39.25 mg/100 g remain intact even after the broccoli curds were kept within High -Density Polyethylene (HDP; 15 micron) vacuum pack for a maximum 8.36 and 8.55 days in the same treatment which is less than the nutrients 3.56%, 7.01%, 8.16%, and 9.66% respectively in fresh broccoli curds as mentioned in table 4 in the year of 2019-2020 and 4.77%, 8.32%, 10.75% and 13.41% respectively less than the nutrients in fresh broccoli curds as mentioned in table 5 in the year of 2020-2021. This finding corroborates with Chingtham and Banik [10]; Manisha and Rajkumari [26]. 3.6. Shelf Life The perusal of data in Table 8 and 9 revealed that effects of organic and inorganic sources of nutrient and storage condition along with each level of storage materials significantly influenced on shelf life of broccoli. Maximum shelf life 8.36 and 8.55 days were observed in the treatment T2 (Vermicompost 4 t ha-1 +Soil test based 50% NPK) followed by T3 (Vermicompost 2 t ha-1 +100% NPK) with 5.49 and 5.33 days, T4 (Tricho-compost 2 t ha- 1+100% NPK) with 5.33 and 5.25 days, T5 (FYM 6 t ha-1+100% NPK) with 5.17 and 5.27 days, and it were kept in High -Density Polyethylene (HDP; 15 micron) vacuum pack at room temperature (14-240 C with RH 60-65%) condition during the 2019-20 and 2021-21 respectively. Whereas, minimum shelf life 1.85 and 2.33 days were recorded in treatment T1 (Soil test based 100% NPK,) at the same condition during the 2019-20 and 2021-21 respectively. In the same way, at cold storage (40 C with 90-95% RH) condition, maximum shelf life 26.33 and 27.25 days were observed in the treatment T2 (Vermicompost 4 t ha-1 +Soil test based 50% NPK) followed by T3 (Vermicompost 2 t ha-1 +100% NPK) with 23.43 and 22.33 days, T4 (Tricho-compost 2 t ha-1+100% NPK) with 23.43 and 21.56 days, T5 (FYM 6 t ha-1+100% NPK) with 22.68 and 21.75 days, and it were kept in High -Density Polyethylene (HDP; 15 micron) vacuum pack during the 2019-20 and 2021-21 respectively. Whereas, minimum shelf life 12.29 and 12.33 days were recorded in treatment T1 (Soil test based 100% NPK,) at cold storage (40 C with 90-95% RH) condition during the 2019-20 and 2021-21 respectively. This might be due to synergistic effects of organic and inorganic sources of nutrient influenced broccoli longevity through increased nutrients uptake by the plants and enhanced greater development of water conducting tissue which enhanced the shelf life of broccoli. These findings corroborates with the findings of Dhakal, et al. [27]. Maximum shelf life in both the storage conditions within High -Density Polyethylene (HDP; 15 micron) vacuum pack might be due to its sophisticated techniques which delayed and protected the physiological deterioration of broccoli curd. Within High -Density Polyethylene (HDP; 15 micron) vacuum pack having more control over the gas exchange with the surrounding air, the levels of CO2 and O2 around the produce might have further slowed down conversion of starch to sugars. Curds stored in the cold conditions had maintained a greener color and at the same time no chilling injury symptoms, no decay incidence and no rot were observed there. In addition, storage at low temperature reduced the rate of respiration, and delayed senescence during storage of curds. Pre-harvest application of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients in broccoli production and better storage conditions including appropriate use of scientific storage materials like High -Density Polyethylene (HDP; 15 micron) vacuum pack might have protected the chlorophyll degradation and ethylene production. The synchronized effects of the said treatment also might have protected available moisture and minimize the rate of respiration along with strengthening the cell wall in the vegetative parts of broccoli which restricted the yellowing color and reduced weight loss. This might have maintained the shelf life and quality of broccoli. The findings of present investigation in respect of shelf life corroborate with the findings of broccoli [14]. Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2022, 9(1): 44-58 55 © 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. Table 8. Shelf life (days) comparison of storage materials at each level of treatment under different storage condition (2019-20). Treatments Shelf life(days) at room temperature (14- 24° C with RH 60-65%) Shelf life(days) at Cold Storage (4° C with RH 90-95%) Storage materials Storage materials L D P b a g H D P V a c u u m p a c k 2 % E g g s h e ll p o w e r so lu ti o n 2 % A sc o rb ic a c id so lu ti o n C o n tr o l L D P b a g H D P V a c u u m p a c k 2 % E g g s h e ll p o w e r so lu ti o n 2 % A sc o rb ic a c id so lu ti o n C o n tr o l T1 3.75ef 3.93e 2.42fg 2.33fg 1.85g 15.81b 19.20a 14.45bc 13.83c 12.29d T2 5.67f 8.36e 4.59fg 4.33fg 3.53g 21.70b 26.33a 19.59c 19.57c 14.87d T3 4.60ef 5.49e 3.67fg 3.61fg 2.33g 20.20b 23.43a 17.17c 16.69c 13.87d T4 4.37ef 5.33e 3.63fg 3.57fg 2.30g 20.16b 23.39a 17.13c 16.63c 13.79d T5 4.23ef 5.17e 3.57fg 3.45fg 2.25g 19.42b 22.68a 16.41g 15.90c 12.73d LSD(P=0.05) 0.0000 Note: Means in the column followed by different letter(s) differed significantly by DMRT at (P=0.05) level of significance. Here, T1 = Soil test based 100% NPK, T2 = Vermicompost 4 t ha-1 +Soil test based 50% NPK, T3 = Vermicompost 2 t ha-1 +100% NPK, T4 =Tricho-compost 2 t ha-1+100% NPK, T5 =FYM 6 t ha-1+100% NPK. Table 9. Shelf life (days) comparison of storage materials at each level of treatment under different storage condition (2020-21). Treatment Shelf life(days) at room temperature (14-24° C with RH 60-65%) Shelf life(days) at Cold Storage (4° C with RH 90-95%) Storage materials Storage materials L D P b a g H D P V a c u u m p a c k 2 % E g g s h e ll p o w e r so lu ti o n 2 % A sc o rb ic a c id so lu ti o n C o n tr o l L D P b a g H D P V a c u u m p a c k 2 % E g g s h e ll p o w e r so lu ti o n 2 % A sc o rb ic a c id so lu ti o n C o n tr o l T1 3.69g 4.33f 2.75h 2.37h 2.33h 15.33b 18.75a 14.33c 13.25d 12.33e T2 6.33g 8.55f 4.33h 4.25h 3.75i 20.55b 27.25a 19.45c 18.33d 15.31e T3 4.25g 5.33f 3.75h 3.25i 2.55j 18.47b 22.33a 16.55c 15.75d 13.63e T4 4.13g 5.25f 3.55h 3.17h 2.51i 17.63b 21.56a 16.25c 15.47d 12.83e T5 4.05g 5.27f 3.63gh 3.33h 2.35i 17.53b 21.75a 16.31c 15.35d 13.33e LSD(P=0.05) 0.0000 Note: Means with the same letter are not significantly different, T1 = Soil test based 100% NPK, T2 = Vermicompost 4 t ha-1 +Soil test based 50% NPK, T3 = Vermicompost 2 t ha-1 +100% NPK, T4 =Tricho-compost 2 t ha-1+100% NPK, T5= FYM 6 t ha-1+100% NPK. 3.7. Economic Consideration Data enumerated in Table 10 and 11 revealed that maximum gross returns of BDT 458550 and 453450 ha-1, net returns 334722 and 329622 ha-1 with BCR 3.70 and 3.66 were observed in the treatment T3(Vermicompost 2 t ha-1 +100% NPK) in the year of 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively. Whereas, minimum gross returns of BDT 246450 and 243900 ha-1, net returns 132620 and 130070 ha-1 with BCR 2.17 and 2.14 were noted in treatment T10 (FYM 3 t ha-1+125% NPK) in the year of 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively. The present findings indicate that treatment T3 is the maximum profitable treatment for broccoli production which could generate maximum net income with maximum Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) This finding corroborates with Shamsunnahar [11]; Sharma, et al. [28]. Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2022, 9(1): 44-58 56 © 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. Table 10. Economic consideration of broccoli production as influenced by pre-harvest application of organic and inorganic nutrient sources (2019-20). Treatment Marketable Yield (t ha-1) Cost of production (BDT ha-1) Gross returns (BDT ha-1) Net returns (BDT ha-1) Benefit Cost ratio (BCR) T1 24.52 107370 367800 260430 3.43 T2 22.36 136145 335400 199255 2.46 T3 30.57 123828 458550 334722 3.70 T4 28.25 128217 423750 295533 3.30 T5 26.28 116148 394200 278052 3.39 T6 20.76 144922 311400 166478 2.15 T7 19.59 120783 293850 173067 2.43 T8 18.16 117674 272400 154726 2.31 T9 17.56 119866 263400 143534 2.20 T10 16.43 113830 246450 132620 2.17 Table 11. Economic consideration of broccoli production as influenced by pre-harvest application of organic and inorganic nutrient sources (2020-21). Treatment Marketable Yield (t ha-1) Cost of production (BDT ha-1) Gross returns (BDT ha-1) Net returns (BDT ha-1) Benefit Cost ratio (BCR) T1 23.76 107370 356400 249030 3.32 T2 21.67 136145 325050 188905 2.39 T3 30.23 123828 453450 329622 3.66 T4 28.15 128217 422250 294033 3.29 T5 26.43 116148 396450 280302 3.41 T6 20.54 144922 308100 163178 2.13 T7 19.43 120783 291450 170667 2.41 T8 17.86 117674 267900 150226 2.28 T9 17.33 119866 259950 140084 2.17 T10 16.26 113830 243900 130070 2.14 Note: Sale rate of broccoli BDT 15/kg. Here, T1 = Soil test based 100% NPK, T2 = Vermicompost 4 t ha-1 + Soil test based 50% NPK, T3 = Vermicompost 2 t ha-1 + 100% NPK, T4 =Tricho-compost 2 t ha-1 + 100% NPK, T5= FYM 6 t ha-1 + 100% NPK, T6 = Tricho-compost 4 t ha-1 + 50% NPK, T7 =FYM 12 t ha-1 + 50% NPK, T8= Vermicompost 1 t ha-1 + 125% NPK, T9= Tricho-compost 1 t ha-1 + 125% NPK, T10= FYM 3 t ha- 1+125% NPK. 4. CONCLUSION The inference of the present investigation that Vermicompost 2 t ha-1 + soil test based 100% NPK performed the best regarding higher yield, gross and net returns with maximum Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) at grower’s level. Simultaneously, broccoli produced through the application of Vermicompost 4 t ha-1 +Soil test based 50% NPK is the best for consumption and getting anticipated quality attributes of broccoli. In addition, combined use of Vermicompost 4 t ha-1+ Soil test based 50% NPK along with High -Density Polyethylene (HDP; 15 micron) vacuum pack is the significantly effective for maintaining the shelf life of broccoli both at room temperature (14-240 C with RH 60-65%) and at cold storage (40 C with RH 90-95%) condition. Funding: This study received no specific financial support. Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Authors’ Contributions: All authors contributed equally to the conception and design of the study. Acknowledgement: The first author acknowledged and deep gratitude to the Department of Agricultural Extension under Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh for giving permission to the present study. REFERENCES [1] M. E. Cartea, P. Velasco, S. Obregón, G. Padilla, and A. de Haro, "Seasonal variation in glucosinolate content in Brassica oleracea crops grown in Northwestern Spain," Phytochemistry, vol. 69, pp. 403-410, 2008.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2007.08.014. [2] A. Faller and E. Fialho, "The antioxidant capacity and polyphenol content of organic and conventional retail vegetables after domestic cooking," Food Research International, vol. 42, pp. 210-215, 2009.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2008.10.009. Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2022, 9(1): 44-58 57 © 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. [3] P. Yvette, "Antioxidant properties of green broccoli and purple-sprouting broccoli under different cooking conditions," Bioscience Horizons: The International Journal of Student Research, vol. 5, pp. 23-24, 2012. [4] G. S. Nagraj, C. Anita, J. Swarna, and K. J. Amit, Nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of fruits and vegetables,” Academic Press, School of Food Science and Environmental Health, College of Sciences and Health. Dublin - City Campus, Dublin, Ireland: Technological University, 2020. [5] FAOSTAT, "Statistics division, corporate statistical database(FAOSTAT)," 2020. [6] C. S. Ahirwar and R. Nath, "Organic broccoli farming: A step towards doubling farmer`s income," Biotica Research Today, vol. 2, pp. 47-50, 2020. [7] D. Mal, R. Chatterjee, and K. Nimbalkar, "Effect of vermi-compost and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of sprouting broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck)," International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management, vol. 5, pp. 507-512, 2014.Available at: https://doi.org/10.5958/0976-4038.2014.00606.x. [8] R. Gupta, S. Swami, and A. Rai, "Impact of integrated application of vermicompost, farmyard manure and chemical fertilizers on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) performance and soil biochemical properties," International Journal of Chemical Studies, vol. 7, pp. 1714-1718, 2019. [9] S. M. Alam, M. A. Ullah, S. I. Haider, N. N. Nausherwan, S. S. Aamir, and I. A. Mahmoud, "Effect of farm yard manure and planting densities on growth, yield and quality of okra under natural farming," International Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry's, vol. 4, pp. 21-25, 2019. [10] C. Chingtham and A. Banik, "Studies on effectiveness of packaging on storability of broccoli cv. Aishwarya," International Journal of Chemical Studies, vol. 7, pp. 5112-5118, 2019. [11] M. Shamsunnahar, "A project completion report on validation and up-scaling of tricho-products for soil borne disease management in vegetable crops,” (TF 09 NR)," 2016. [12] S. Raseetha and S. Nadirah, "Effect of different packaging materials on quality of fresh-cut broccoli and cauliflower at chilled temperature," International Food Research Journal, vol. 25, pp. 1559-1565, 2018. [13] D. Rao and K. Shivashankara, "Individual shrink wrapping extends the storage life and maintains the antioxidants of mango (cvs.‘Alphonso’and ‘Banganapalli’) stored at 8 C," Journal of Food Science and Technology, vol. 52, pp. 4351-4359, 2015.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-014-1468-6. [14] P. B. Jadhav, "Extending the storage and Post-Storage life of dragon fruit using a cold room (Ecofrost)," International Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology, vol. 11, pp. 557-561, 2018.Available at: https://doi.org/10.30954/0974-1712.06.2018.19. [15] S. Ranganna, Handbook of analysis and quality control for fruits and vegetables products. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Publication Co. Ltd, 1986. [16] AOAC, Standard official methods of analysis of the association of analytical chemists, 14th ed. Washington, DC: Williams, S.W, 1984. [17] W. Brand-Williams, M.-E. Cuvelier, and C. Berset, "Use of a free radical method to evaluate antioxidant activity," LWT-Food science and Technology, vol. 28, pp. 25-30, 1995. [18] K. Slinkard and V. L. Singleton, "Total phenol analysis: Automation and comparison with manual methods," American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, vol. 28, pp. 49-55, 1977. [19] P. Lodhi, D. Singh, and A. Tiwari, "Effect of inorganic and organic fertilizers on yield and economics of broccoli (Brassica olerasia var. italica)," International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, vol. 6, pp. 562-566, 2017.Available at: https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2017.608.073. [20] S. Dash, G. Sahu, S. Das, S. Sarkar, and M. Pathak, "Effect of Integrated nutrient management on yield, yield attributes and economics of Broccoli," International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, vol. 8, pp. 3254- 3258, 2019.Available at: https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2019.806.387. [21] S. K. Bhowal, M. H. Hossain, and M. M. Bashir, "Integrated nutrient management on the yield and profitability of cauliflower," Bangladesh Agronomy Journal, vol. 23, pp. 45-49, 2020. Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2022, 9(1): 44-58 58 © 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. [22] R. Mohanta, A. K. Nandi, S. P. Mishra, A. Pattnaik, M. M. Hossain, and A. K. Padhiary, "Effects of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield, quality and economics of sprouting broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) cv.Shayali," Journal of Student Research, vol. 5, pp. 23-34, 2018. [23] E. Kayesh, M. Sharker, M. Roni, and U. Sarker, "Integrated nutrient management for growth, yield and profitability of broccoli," Bangladesh Journal of Agricultural Research, vol. 44, pp. 13-26, 2019.Available at: https://doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v44i1.40900. [24] G. Singh, S. Sarvanan, A. Kerketta, and J. Rajesh, "Effect of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on plant growth, yield and flower bud quality of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italica) cv- Green Magic," International Journal of Pure and Applied Bioscience, vol. 6, pp. 1338-1342, 2018. [25] M. F. Zaki, A. A. M. Abdelhafez, Y. El-dewiny, and Camilia, "Influence of bio-fertilization and nitrogen sources on growth, yield and quality of broccoli (Brassica olercea Var. Italica)," Egyptian Journal of Applied Science, vol. 24, pp. 86- 111, 2009. [26] C. Manisha and A. D. Rajkumari, "Influence of packaging material and storage temperature on the shelflife and quality of broccoli," Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, vol. 9, pp. 233-237, 2020. [27] M. Dhakal, S. M. Shakya, and S. Bhattarai, "Yield and quality of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck.) cv. Calabrese affected by Nitrogen and farm Yard Manure in Chitwan, Nepal," Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences, vol. 1, pp. 102-108, 2016. [28] C. Sharma, B. S. Kang, R. Kaur, S. K. Singh, and K. Aulakh, "Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica)," International Journal of Chemical Studies, vol. 6, pp. 1296- 1300, 2018. Views and opinions expressed in this article are the views and opinions of the author(s), Current Research in Agricultural Sciences shall not be responsible or answerable for any loss, damage or liability etc. caused in relation to/arising out of the use of the content.