Growth, yield and economics of rainy season cauliflower as influenced by the transplanting dates and varieties

Abstract

Cauliflower is the most widely cultivated cole crop in India and fetches higher returns during rainy-season cultivation. The present study aimed to find out the most suitable time for planting of rainy-season cauliflower and to identify the best-performing variety/varieties under the foothills of the eastern Himalayan region. The experiment was laid out in two-factor factorial RBD with three replications where the first factor comprised five dates of planting (15th July, 30th July, 15th August, 30th August and 15th September) and the second factor was five different varieties (Summer Beauty, Pan 1008, Hybrid Cauliflower No.140, BN 50 and Dawn-175). The field experiment was conducted from July to November of 2022 at UBKV, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal. The findings revealed that 15th August transplanting produced maximum curd weight (530.93 g), whereas the variety Hybrid Cauliflower No.140 recorded the highest curd weight (533.93 g) and subsequently maximum curd yield (18.53 t/ha). To obtain a higher curd yield in the rainy season, the hybrid Cauliflower No.140 variety should be transplanted on 15th August to catch the early winter market for better remuneration from the rainy season cauliflower.