Abstract:
The growing emphasis on sustainable agriculture in Sri Lanka has increased interest
in liquid fertilizers as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional chemical inputs. To evaluate
their effectiveness, a pot experiment was conducted from December 2020 to March 2021
at the Agriculture Farm of the University of Jaffna. This study examined the impact of
different liquid fertilizers on the growth and yield of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)
under insect-proof net house conditions. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with
ten replicates was used, consisting of four treatments: T1 (control with distilled water), T2
(Nitrobenzene, a chemical growth promoter), T3 (Azolla extract), and T4 (fermented cow
urine). Organic treatments were prepared and applied as foliar sprays beginning two weeks after seeding and continued weekly. Statistical analysis (p < 0.05) was performed using SAS
software. It revealed that fermented cow urine (T4) significantly enhanced plant height,
leaf number, and leaf area, as well as yield attributes such as head diameter, girth, and total
yield. Beyond its fertilizing properties, fermented cow urine also acted as a natural pest
repellent, contributing to healthier crop growth. These results underscore the potential of
fermented cow urine as a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative for smallholder farmers to
improve cabbage production while advancing sustainable farming practices.
