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Effect of Sowing Date and Plant Spacing on Seed Production of Cauliflower

M. F. Hossain
Senior Scientific Officer
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, RARS, Ishwardi, Pabna,

N. Ara
Principal Scientific Officer
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur

M. R. Uddin
Principal Scientific Officer
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, RARS, Ishwardi, Pabna

M. R. Islam
Senior Scientific Officer
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, RARS, Ishwardi, Pabna,

M. G. Azam
Scientific Officer
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, PRC, Ishwardi, Pabna, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ishurdi, Pabna during rabi season of 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 to find out the appropriate sowing date and optimum plant spacing for seed production of cauliflower (var. BARI Phulcopi-1). Four sowing dates viz. 20 September, 1 October, 10 October and 20 October and three plant spacing viz. 60 cm × 50 cm, 60 cm × 60 cm and 60 cm × 70 cm were used as treatment variables. Significant variation in seed yield and yield contributing characters of cauliflower were observed due to execution of different sowing dates and plant spacing. Number of branches plant^-1 , number of pods plant^-1 and number of seeds pod^-1 showed the highest in 1 October sowing as a result the highest seed yield (361.69 kgha^-1 ) was obtained from same date of sowing. Sowing on 10 October and 20 October reduced seed yield drastically compared to that obtained from 1 October sowing. The lowest seed yield (188.54 kgha^-1 ) was obtained from 20 October sowing. On the contrary, closer spacing (60 cm × 50 cm) produced the highest seed yield (315.88 kgha^-1 ) and the wider spacing (60 cm × 70 cm) produced the lowest seed yield (254.07 kgha^-1 ). However, combination of 1 October sowing with 60 cm × 50 cm plant spacing produced the highest seed yield (414.81 kgha^-1 ) due to higher number of seeds pod^-1 . The seed yield decreased after 10 October sowing irrespective of plant spacing. So, early sowing (1 October) with closer spacing (60 cm× 50 cm) would be economically profitable for cauliflower seed production in North-Western part of Bangladesh.

Keywords: Cauliflower, Sowing, Spacing, Yield and Seed.

Location: Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ishurdi, Pabna

Start Date: 00-00-2011

End Date: 00-00-2013

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Cauliflower

Objectives:

To find out the suitable sowing date and determine the optimum plant spacing for seed production of cauliflower.

Methodology:

The experiment was carried out at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ishurdi, Pabna during rabi season of 2011-12 and 2012-13. The initial soil samples were collected from the experimental field for a depth of 0-15 cmprior to application of fertilizers. The nutrient status of soil of the experimental plot was determined at the Soil Science Lab of Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur. Results of soil analysis are presented. Four sowing dates viz. 20 September, 1 October, 10 October and 20 October and three plant spacing viz. 60 cm × 50 cm, 60 cm × 60 cm and 60 cm × 70 cm were used as treatment variables. The treatments were factorial combination of the two factors and the experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The unit plot size was 10 m ×1.2 m. Seeds of variety BARI Phulcopi-1 were sown in the nursery beds at an interval of 10 days started from 20 September. Beds were immediately irrigated with the help of watering cane. After germination, when the seedlings were attained at a height of 3 cm then the seedlings were transplanted in the other nursery beds 10 cm apart for proper growth and development of the seedlings. Thirty days old seedlings were transplanted in the evening time in the experimental plot according to the treatment. Healthy seedlings of uniform size were selected for planting. Before transplantation, the nursery beds were irrigated so that the seedlings could be easily uprooted from the beds without any damage of the root. After one week of transplantation, dead seedlings were replaced by planting fresh seedlings to obtain a uniform stand. The land was fertilized with well decomposed cowdung @ 15 tha ^-1 and 120, 55, 100, 15 1.5, 2 and 1 kg ha ^-1 N P K S B Zn and Mo, respectively as a source of Urea, TSP, MoP, Gypsum, Boric acid, Zinc sulphate and Sodium molybdate, respectively. Curds with hollow stem disorder is a major problem in cauliflower production and is associated with Mo deficiency. So, Mo application is a crucial factor for yield and quality as well as to control curds with hollow stem disorder. Total amount of cow dung, TSP, gypsum, zinc sulphate, boric acid and sodium molybdate were applied in the plot during final land preparation. Urea and MoP were applied in four equal installments at 20, 40, 60 and 90 days after planting. After transplantation, the experimental plot was irrigated by watering cane and second irrigation (flood irrigation) was done 3 days after transplantation. After this, irrigations were done after fertilizer application and as and when required. Three weeding were done for weed control at 20, 40 and 60 DAT. In the early stage of transplantation damping off disease was occurred in early sowing but serious in late sowing and it was controlled by spraying Bavistin @ 2 g liter ^-1 water. In the seed maturation stage, the plant was attacked by Cercospora leaf spot disease and controlled by spraying Rovral @ 2 g liter ^-1 water. Scooping (removing centre portion of curd) was done when it is fully formed to help the easy emergence of the flower stalks. The flower stalks were supported with bamboo stakes to avoid lodging. Ten plants were selected randomly for data collection. Harvesting was done on 16 to 30 March in 2012 and 14 to 30 March in 2013 when the pods were brown in colour. The collected data were analyzed statistically and the means were separated by Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The crop received 273 mm and 351 mm total rainfall during crop period of 2011-12 and 2012-13, respectively. A little bit more rainfall occurred in 2012-13. The mean monthly maximum air temperature was 30.66 ºC &30.96 ºC and minimum was 18.36 ºC and 16.92 ºC during crop period of 2011-12 and 2012-13, respectively. The lowest mean (10 days) maximum (21 ºC) and minimum (13 ºC) air temperature was occurred in 20 to 31 December.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 40(3): 491-500, September 2015, ISSN 0258-7122

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The study revealed that the seed yield of cauliflower was significantly affected by different sowing dates. Early October sowing with 60cm×50cm plant spacing produced the highest seed yield due to higher yield attributes as well as prevail longer period of cool. So, early sowing (1 October) with 60cm×50cm plant spacing would be economically profitable for enhancing growth parameters and seed production of cauliflower in North-western part of Bangladesh.

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