Study of varietal performance of coloured cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) under Prayagraj climatic conditions

Introduction

In the world of vegetable crops, cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L., 2n = 2X = 18) is one of the most significant crops. There are over 40 species in the genus Brassica, including Brassica oleracea. The well-known class of "Cole" crops or "Cole" vegetables is represented by B. oleracea. One of the most significant crops in this group, cauliflower is Moreover, Indian type cauliflower flowers and sets seeds abundantly in the northern plains during the winter season, whereas snowball cauliflower does not flower or produce seeds in these plains due to its extended low-temperature requirements. Specifically, Indian cauliflower is classified into early (group-1), mid-early (group-2), and mid-late (group-3) based on its precise temperature needs for curd initiation and development, which are 20-27 °C, 16-20 °C, and 12-16 °C, respectively.

Materials and Methods

The present study entitled "Study on Varietal performance of coloured cauliflower (brassica oleracea var. botrytis) under Prayagraj Agro-climate conditions" was conducted to identify the most suitable variety in terms of growth, yield, and quality of Cauliflower. The experiment was carried out during the autumn season of October 2024 to winter season of December 2024 at the Horticultural Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS), Prayagraj.

Experiment Design

The experiment consisted of ten varieties, replicated three folds in randomized design. The details of the layout of experiment are given in (Table 1, 2 and Figure 1).

Results and Discussion

A) Growth Parameters Plant Height

As perusal of the data reveals that plant height was significantly varied among different varieties of cauliflower. The plant height of the cauliflower differed significantly at < 0.05 at 30, 60, and 90 days after transplanting (DAT) and the final harvest. The maximum plant height was observed in Snow crown variety of 40 cm and minimum plant height was observed in Poosi variety of 27.19 cm. Similar results were also published by Amar et al., (2003) [3] The variety Snow Crown gives maximum height at 30, 60 and 90 DAT due to Allahabad Agro-climatic condition is favourable for its growth. Snow Crown showed better performance for early production and the variety was highly preferred by the farmers and consumers. One of the five promising cauliflower variety namely Snow Crown were included in the experiment and has shown the (Yam et al., 2004) [19] . The tallest plant was found with the variety Snow crown (Salim et al. 2008) [18] .

Number of leaves

As perusal of the data reveals that the number of leaves was significantly varied among different varieties of cauliflower.

The number of leaves of the cauliflower differed significantly at < 0.05 at 30, 60, and 90 days after transplanting (DAT) and the final harvest. The maximum number of leaves were observed in Snow crown variety of 14 and minimum number of leaves was observed in Poosi variety of 10. Similar results were also published by Krishna et al. (2017) [3] The average mean for the number of the leaves for both the year shows significant result in Snow crown variety.

Basnet et al. (2024) [5] .

Leaf Area Index (LAI)

As perusal of the data reveals that the leaf area index (LAI) was significantly varied among different varieties of cauliflower. The leaf area index of the cauliflower differed significantly at < 0.05 at 30, 60, and 90 days after transplanting (DAT) and the final harvest (Table 3). The maximum leaf area index (9.23) was found in variety of V2 Snow Crown. Whereas, the minimum leaf area index (7.06) was recorded in V9 Bainganee Phool Gobhi. Similar results were also published by Basnet et al. (2024) [5] . Farmers preferred Snow Crown variety of cauliflower because of its earliness, good taste and high yield potential. Farmers preferred Snow Crown variety because of its good taste, tolerant to frost injury and high yield potential (Subedi et al., 2011) [17] .

As perusal of the data reveals that the curd weight was significantly varied among different varieties of cauliflower. The cauliflower curd weight significantly differed at < 0.05 at 30, 60, and 90 days after transplanting (DAT) and the final harvest (Table 2). The maximum curd weight (525.63g) was found in the variety of V2 Snow Crown.

Whereas, the minimum curd weight (248.57g) was recorded in V10 Poosi. Similar results were also published by Marketable curd weight significantly variation were recorded in Snow crown.

(Belayet et al. 2020) [6] . The variety Snow Crown gives maximum curd weight 90 DAT due to Allahabad Agroclimactic condition is favourable for its growth.

As perusal of the data reveals that the curd diameter was significantly varied among different varieties of cauliflower.

The cauliflower curd diameter significantly differed at < 0.05 at 30, 60, and 90 days after transplanting (DAT) and the final harvest (Table 4). The maximum curd diameter (12.04) was found in the variety of V2 Snow Crown. Whereas, the minimum curd diameter (9.85) was recorded in V8 F1 Hybrid Purple. Similar results were also published the curd diameter was strongest with Snow crown producing the biggest diameter (Salim et al., 2008) [18] . Annual results for yield and percent marketable curds for cauliflower cultivars. Snow Crown with good color and excellent weight. (Marvin et al., 1990) [12] . Farmers preferred Green Coronet variety of cabbage because of its good taste, tolerant to frost injury and high yield potential (Subedi et al., 2011) [17] The variety Snow Crown gives maximum curd diameter at 90 DAT due to Allahabad Agro-climatic condition is favourable for its growth.

Days to Curd Initiation

As perusal of the data reveals that the days to curd initiation was significantly varied among different varieties of cauliflower. The days to curd initiation of the cauliflower differed significantly at < 0.05 at 30, 60, and 90 days after transplanting (DAT) and the final harvest (Table 4). The maximum days to curd initiation (74) was found in the variety of V2 Snow Crown. Whereas, the minimum days to curd initiation (50) was recorded in V10 Poosi Similar results were also published that the days to curd initiation and Days to curd harvest were earlier in the variety Snow Crown. But the longer duration takes for the variety Kathmandu Local (Asmita et al., 2022) [4] . Significantly shorter period for first curd initiation of 61 days after transplanting (DAT) was recorded in Crown variety than other varieties Giri et al., (2020) [10] Days from Curd Initiation to harvest As perusal of the data reveals that the days from curd initiation to harvest was significantly varied among different varieties of cauliflower. The days from curd initiation to harvest of the cauliflower differed significantly at < 0.05 at 30, 60, and 90 days after transplanting (DAT) and the final harvest (Table 4). The maximum days from curd initiation to harvest (16) was found in the variety of V10 Poosi. Whereas, the minimum days from curd initiation to harvest (10) was recorded in V2 Snow Crown. Similar results were also published by Basnet et al. (2024) [5] . Farmer preferred Snow Crown variety of cauliflower because of its earliness, good taste and high yield potential. But the period from seeding to curd harvest was highly affected by the varieties and seeding dates. (Yam et al., 2004) [19] .

Curd Yield/ha

As perusal of the data reveals that the days from curd initiation to harvest was significantly varied among different varieties of cauliflower. The curd yield of the cauliflower differed significantly at < 0.05 at 30, 60, and 90 days after transplanting (DAT) and the final harvest (Table 4). The maximum days from curd initiation to harvest (16) was found in the variety of V10 Poosi. Whereas, the minimum days from curd initiation to harvest (10) was recorded in V2 Snow Crown. Similar results were also published that the Snow crown produced the highest curd yield (Salim et al., 2008) [18] Farmers preferred Green Coronet variety of cabbage because of its good taste, tolerant to frost injury and high yield potential (Subedi et al., 2011) [17] Statistically significant variation was recorded for micronutrients in terms of curd yield per hectare of cauliflower. The highest curd yield was found from Snow crown variety (Rahman et al., 2021) [16] The variety Snow Crown gives maximum curd yield at 90 DAT due to Allahabad Agro-climatic condition is favourable for its growth.

Stalk length

As perusal of the data reveals that the curd yield was significantly varied among different varieties of cauliflower.

The stalk length of the cauliflower differed significantly at < 0.05 at 30, 60, and 90 days after transplanting (DAT) and the final harvest (Table 4). The maximum curd yield (7.22cm) was found in the variety of V10 Poosi. Whereas, the minimum curd yield (5.70cm) was recorded in V8 F1 Hybrid Purple. Similar results were also published by Manpreet et al., (2019) [21] Spacing does not have significant effect on curd count number, curd weight, Curd yield, plant height, number of leaves per plant, spreading diameter and stalk length. Out of eight cultivars, two cultivars viz; RIJK-du and Snow Crown variety Basnet et al. (2024) [5] .

C) Quality Parameters TSS (°Brix)

As perusal of the data reveals that the curd yield was significantly varied among different varieties of cauliflower.

The TSS of the cauliflower differed significantly at < 0.05 at 30, 60, and 90 days after transplanting (DAT) and the final harvest (Table 5). The maximum TSS (5.10) was found in the variety of V7 Valentena. Whereas, the minimum TSS (1.70) was recorded in V5 F1 Hybrid Yellow. Similar results were also published by Manoj et al., (2024) [20] Highest leaf dry matter and TSS was found in Super White Top and Snow Crown, Snow Crown cultivar showed the significant results with highest TSS. Basnet et al. (2024) [5] Farmers preferred Snow Crown variety of cauliflower because of its earliness, good taste and high yield potential.

The horticultural trait i.e. TSS reported positive and highly significant correlation with the trait dry matter suggesting that high TSS values were observed for the heads with greater dry matter. This indicated that both these traits can thus be improved simultaneously.

Compactness

As perusal of the data reveals that the curd yield was significantly varied among different varieties of cauliflower.

The compactness of the cauliflower differed significantly at < 0.05 at 30, 60, and 90 days after transplanting (DAT) and the final harvest (Table 5). The maximum TSS (7.34) was found in the variety of V2 Snow Crown. Whereas, the minimum TSS (5.82) was recorded in V10 Poosi Similar results were also published by (Amar et al., 2004) [3] that the good quality curd (marketable size, compactness and color) was found in Snow Crown and Snow King and these varieties were highly preferred by the farmers and consumers. Observations recorded on days to first harvest, marketable curd yield, unmarketable curd yield, percentage of well developed curd, curd quality (compactness, size, color) and farmers' preferences and were analyzed.

Similarly, mean curd compactness was higher in Mid January planting than the Mid December planting of all varieties.

D). Economic Parameters

The economic performance of all varieties was evaluated by calculating the total cost of cultivation, gross return, net return, and the benefit-cost ratio, based on expenditures from sowing to harvesting. Among the varieties, V2 Snow Crown proved to be the most economically efficient, achieving the highest gross return of ₹2,73,870/ha, a net return of ₹2,18,050/ha, and an impressive benefit-cost ratio of 3.90.

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgementThe author wishes to express sincere gratitude to the Advisor for their invaluable guidance and mentorship throughout this research. Special thanks are also extended to the Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj (U.P.), India, for offering all the International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research https://www.biochemjournal.com necessary facilities and a conducive environment that made this study possible.

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