EFFECT OF PLANTING DATE AND NITROGEN LEVEL ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF TROPICAL CAULIFLOWER (BRASSICA-OLERACEA CONVAR BOTRYTIS VAR BOTRYTIS)

An experiment was conducted during 1990-91 and 1991-92 to study the response of cauliflower [Brassica oleracea L. convar botrytis (L.) Alef. var botrytis L.] to transplanting date and nitrogen level in an alkaline soil. The nutrient status of the experimental field showed deficiency of nitrogen (106 kg N/ha). Transplanting date, nitrogen level and cultivar showed significant effect on the curd yield, leaves/plant, plant height, gross weight and net curd weight/plant. An increase in N from 100 to 200 kg/ha increased the yield of marketable produce from 9.62 to 13.99 tonnes/ha as well as the weight of individual curd from 404.53 to 537.89 g/plant. The cultivar 'Narendra Gobhi 1' recorded the higher yield (12.56 tonnes/ha) when transplanted in September than when transplanted in October.