• Dr.Ch.Bhaskara Rao

The application of organic fertilizers in vegetable production has become increasingly important due to their contribution to sustainable agriculture, soil fertility enhancement, and food safety. Leafy vegetables such as spinach (Spinaciaoleracea), lettuce (Lactucasativa), kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica), and amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) are highly responsive to soil nutrient status and fertilization practices because of their rapid growth and high nutrient demand. Organic fertilizers—including compost, farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, and biofertilizers such as Azotobacter and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB)—serve as vital sources of macro- and micronutrients. Unlike chemical fertilizers, they gradually release nutrients, enrich soil organic matter, and stimulate beneficial microbial activity while improving soil water-holding capacity.This study evaluates the influence of different organic fertilizers on the growth, quality, and yield of leafy vegetables under a randomized block design (RBD). Treatments included control (no fertilizer), FYM, vermicompost, and compost combined with biofertilizers. Key growth and yield parameters measured were germination percentage, plant height, number of leaves per plant, chlorophyll content, fresh leaf weight, and yield per hectare. The findings revealed significant treatment effects, with vermicompost and compost + biofertilizer applications recording the highest values for germination, chlorophyll content, and fresh leaf weight. Vermicompost was particularly effective due to its enriched microbial population, improved nutrient uptake, and enhanced root development, while compost combined with biofertilizers boosted nutrient availability and plant vigor.Overall, organic fertilizers proved superior to control treatments, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers by improving vegetable productivity, soil fertility, and crop nutritional quality. Moreover, they reduce nitrate accumulation and environmental hazards, thus promoting safe and eco-friendly food production. Future research should focus on optimizing organic fertilizer blends, assessing long-term soil fertility benefits, and developing scalable organic production strategies for commercial leafy vegetable farming.

Organic fertilizers, Leafy vegetables, Vermicompost, Farmyard manure, Biofertilizers, Sustainable agriculture

"INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON GROWTH OF LEAFY VEGETABLES", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 6, page no.g852-g859, June-2021, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2106932.pdf

"INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON GROWTH OF LEAFY VEGETABLES", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 6, page no. ppg852-g859, June-2021, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2106932.pdf