Influence of varieties and spacing on yield and quality of sprouting broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was undertaken at B.B.A. University, Lucknow (UP) during rabi season to study the effect of varieties and spacings on yield and quality characters of sprouting broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck). Four varieties viz. V1- Pusa Broccoli KTS-1, V2-Palam Kanchan , V3-Palam Vichitra , V4-Palam Samridhi and four spacings viz.- S1- 60x45 cm, S2 - 60×30 cm, S3 - 45×45 cm, S4 - 45×30 cm were evaluated in factorial randomized block design with three replications. Among the varieties, Pusa Broccoli KTS-1had takenearliest days for curd initiation (47.9) and day taken to curd harvest after curd initiation (22.5). Variety Pusa Broccoli KTS-1 significantly produced the highest curd diameter (118.9 mm),weight of curd with gourd leaf(0.9kg), weight of curd without gourd leaf (0.4 kg), yield (24.5 tha-1),ascorbic acid (79.1 mg/100g) and total soluble solids (8.5oBrix). On the other hand, minimum values of these parameters were recorded in Pusa Samridhi. Spacing of 60x45 cm took minimum days (48.9) for curd initiation, (22.5) and days taken to curd harvest after curd initiation. Maximum curd diameter (116.8 mm), weight of curd with gourd leaf (0.9 kg), weight of curd without gourd leaf (0.4 kg) were recorded in 60x45 cm spacing. Quality parameters were also markedly affected with variety Pusa Broccoli KTS-1 and spacing 60x45 cm and relatively higher value of vitamin C (79.9 mg/100g) and total soluble solids (8.80Brix) were recorded under V1S1 treatment.