ABSTRACT
The present study was carried at University College of Agriculture, Rawalakot (A.K), Pakistan to find the effect of sowing dates on growth and yield of broccoli Variety, Green mountains. Seeds were sown in well-prepared seedbeds on 20th April, 5th May, 20th May and 4th June 2002. Seedlings were transplanted when 3-4 leaves were developed after 30 days. Plants for T3 (Sowing on 5th May) produced more (18.48) and longer (47.31) leaves, more taller (30.79 cm) plant, heads of more diameter (14.97 cm) and weight (200.65 g), maximum secondary heads (16.0) and maximum yield (15.50 kg). Results on various parameters showed that maximum growth and yield was obtained by planting broccoli cultivar Green mountains on 5th of May. Hence, it is recommended for general cultivation of broccoli under temperate areas.
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DOI: 10.3923/ajps.2004.167.169
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ajps.2004.167.169
INTRODUCTION
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) is one of the most prominent vegetables grown all over the world. It is favorite crop for kitchen gardening due to its short maturation period (7-8 weeks). It belongs to Crucifereae family. It has great economic importance due to its medicinal and dietetic values since ancient times. The fresh leaves are served as salad. Broccoli is extensively used in the preparation of pickles. It has a very high nutritional value due to its high content of protein, carbohydrates, fibers, calcium, iron, β-carotene, thiamine, riboflavin and ascorbic acid. It also helps in digestion and assimilation of food in human body[1].
Broccoli seeds sown in nursery and about 4-5 weeks older plants then transplanted in the soil. It requires 65-75°F temperatures at day and 50-60°F at night for 4-6 weeks period for good growth of the seedlings at the nursery. It contains cancer fighting chemical sulforaphane which mobilize the body natural cancer fighting resources and increase resistance to cancer[2].
Broccoli is sown in Pakistan at small scale and its consumption is confined to big cities due to its high price and unawareness among the people.
Appropriate and proper time of sowing is one of the basic requirements for obtaining maximum yield and high return of any crop. Many experiments regarding sowing and transplanting time are being conducted in different parts of the world which revealed that total yield of the crop is markedly influenced by different sowing and transplanting times[3].
Climatic condition of this area (Rawalakot) is well suited for its production. It was therefore planned to conduct a trial at the University College of Agriculture Rawalakot. The farmers can obtain good earning by producing this valuable crop. Keeping in view the above facts present study were carried out to find out most suitable time of sowing for broccoli under Rawalakot conditions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
These Studies were carried at Agriculture Research Farm, University College of Agriculture, Rawalakot Azad Kashmir, Pakistan during years 2002 to find most suitable date of sowing for broccoli. A variety Green mountains was used. The experiment was designed according to randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments and three replications per treatment.
Different treatments (Sowing dates) were as under:
Land was thoroughly prepared by mixing well-rotted Farm Yard Manure @ 400 Kg ha-1 with K and P @ 50 kg ha-1.
Nursery raising: Broccoli seeds were sown in raised nursery beds on 20th April, 5th May, 20th May and 4th June. Seedbeds were watered early in the morning and late afternoon regularly with sprinkler till germination. Seedlings were transplanted after thirty days intervals at (3-4) leave stage. Seedlings were irrigated regularly after transplanting. Recommended doses of nitrogen (160 kg ha-1) were applied in two split doses, i.e., one half at the time of transplanting and second half at the time of head formation.
Statistical analysis: Data collected were statistically analyzed and factor exhibiting significant differences were subjected to Duncans multiple range test[4] for comparison of their means.
Data collected: Data were collected on plant height (cm), number of leaves, leaf length, and diameter of head, weight of head (g), number of secondary heads and average yield plot -1 (kg).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Present study revealed that T2 produced maximum leaves per plant, i.e. 18.48 whereas T3 produced (15.99) leaves plant-1. T1 produced (14.35) leaves plant-1. T4 was least responsive and produced minimum leaves, i.e., 12.35 plant-1 (Table 1).
The number of leaves plant-1 showed significant effect for different dates of sowing. Among the different treatments T3 produced maximum number of leaves plant-1 as compared to other treatments. Maximum number of leaves by T3 was might be due to the best environmental conditions enjoyed by this treatment in the field. The most suitable temperature range for good quality and yield of broccoli is 19.22°C[5]. When seedlings of T2 were transplanted in the field, average temperature remained near about 19.22°C during growth. Whereas, T4 availed higher temperature (29-320C). On the other hand T1 availed comparatively lower temperature (8-140C) during growth period.
Results for height of plant showed that T2 produced taller plants, i.e., 30.79 cm whereas; T3 (sowing on 20th May) produced a plant height of (28.75 cm) plant-1. Both the treatments were equal in response. T1 obtained a plant height of 24.81 cm. T4 produced plants of minimum height, i.e., 22.12 cm.
Height is related with the vegetative growth of the plant. T2 obtained more vegetative growth as compared to the other treatments.
Results concerning leaf length showed that T2 produced longer leaves, i.e., 47.31 cm, whereas, T3 and T1 were also equally responsive in this regard. T4 produced leaves of minimum length i.e., 29.31 cm.
T2 enjoyed more leaf length because of more light harvesting than late sowing T4 because of cloudy weather after June[5,6]. T2 obtained more head diameter i.e., 14.97 cm2 than the other treatment.
T3 gained a head of diameter (12.70 cm2) whereas, T1 obtained a head diameter of (10.34 cm2). Minimum head diameter i.e., 8.46 cm2 was obtained by T4.
Diameter of the head directly related with different dates of sowing. Maximum head diameter was produced by T2 as compared to T1 and T4 (Table 1).
Maximum performance of T2 as diameter of the head was might be due to more supply of photosynthates from the leaves. Because T2 obtained more leaf size, leaf length and number of leaves as compared to all other treatments. While T4 showed the minimum diameter of the head per plant due to small size and number of leaves. Results on weight of head showed that T2 produced head of maximum weight (200.65 g). T3 and T1 obtained lower positions, respectively.
From above discussion it is clear that proper sowing time and transplanting time played an important role in achieving good yield for broccoli. These results were in agreement with the findings of Ashok et al.[7], Eyffe and Titly[8], Patil et al.[9].
Results concerning secondary heads showed that T2 produced significantly more heads, i.e., 16.0 whereas; T3 produced lesser secondary heads, i.e., 12.0. T1 showed equal response to T2 and produced (10.66) heads plan-1. T4 was least responsive and produced only (8.66) secondary heads per plant.
T2 produced more secondary heads (16.0) because of more vigorous growth, which supply more photosynthates from leaves to the heads. By above discussion it is clear that the proper time of sowing and transplanting of broccoli is necessary for giving maximum yield and quality. These results were also in line with the findings of Diputado and Nicholas[10].
Table 1: | Effect of sowing dates on growth and yield of broccoli |
Means sharing same letters are not significant |
Results on yield per plot showed that T2 produced maximum yield plant-1 (15.50 kg) than the other treatments. T3 produced 13.4 kg yield plot-1. T1 and T4 produced yield, i.e., 12.8 and 11.64 kg plot-1, respectively.
Environmental factors such as light, temperature and rainfall played an important role in growth and yield of broccoli. As the light and temperature remained favorable for T2, ultimately more photosynthates were available for improvement of yield. Our results are well in collaboration with the findings of Diputado and Nicholas[10], Patil et al.[9], Swiader et al.[11] and Chung[12] on Cole crops.
REFERENCES
- Swiader, J.M., G.W. Ware and J.P. McCollum, 1992. Producing Vegetable Crops. 4th Edn., Interstate Publisher Inc., Daniville, IL., pp: 102-112.
Direct Link - Chung, B., 1985. The effect of sowing time and plant density on the once over harvested yield of broccoli. Japan J. Crop Sci., 54: 413-418.
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