Effect of different spacing and nitrogen levels on growth, yield, quality and monetary returns of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) under North Gujarat condition.

Abstract

 Cauliflower (Brassica oleraceavar. botrytis L.) is one of the most popular vegetable crops among  the cole crops. Cauliflower was introduced in India  from London by Dr. Jenson in 1822 and in such a short  period of its introduction, In India, cauliflower is  cultivated in an area about 347 lakh ha with an annual  production of about 6569 thousand MT (Anon., 2010).  Advance technology for cauliflowers cultivation is use  of hybrid varieties and drip irrigation. In the plains,  cauliflowers are available from September to May. In  Gujarat, it is cultivated in 19,815 ha with a production of  3,56,747 MT (Anon., 2009-10) and productivity of 18  -1 MT ha . There is great potential for increasing the  productivity per unit area by use of optimum plant  spacing and cultural practices in cauliflower. Spacing  and plant population per unit area plays an important  role for growth and development of the crop. Higher  plant population can be achieved by reducing the  distance between rows and plants. The yield of  cauliflower is directly influenced with proper manuring  and fertilization. Therefore, in recent thus much  emphasis has been given for the use of major nutrients  (N, P, and K). Nitrogen is an essential nutrient required  by the plant for its growth, development and reproduction. An adequate supply of nitrogen is  associated with vigorous vegetative growth. Nitrogen is  a constituent of protein, nucleic acid and chlorophyll  etc. It is helpful in large size compact curd development.  Hence, the present study was undertaken to find out the  Hence, the present study was undertaken to find out the  “effect of different spacings and nitrogen levels on  growth and yield cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var.  botrytis L.) under North Gujarat conditions” rabi 2010-11.