Effect of transplanting dates on growth, yield and quality of broccoli varieties at Rampur, Chitwan

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to know the effect of transplanting dates on growth, yield and quality of broccoli varieties at horticultural farm of Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan from October 2021 to February 2022. It was laid out in two factorials RCBD consisting of twelve treatment combinations with four replications. Four varieties of broccoli viz. Calabrese, Centauro, Everest Green and King Dome were considered as the first factor where Calabrese was a check variety while three transplanting dates i.e. October 30, November 15 and November 30 were considered as the second factor in which November 15 was considered as a check transplanting date. Calabrese recorded significantly higher plant height and canopy diameter among all the varieties while King Dome recorded significantly higher number of leaves at most of the growth stages. King Dome produced higher yield of 22.01 mt/ha and dry matter of 11.64% than other varieties. Significantly higher TSS (9.43º Brix), vitamin C (84.45 mg/100 g) and higher score on organoleptic taste was found in Calabrese. Most of the growth parameters were significantly higher when it was transplanted on 30th October than other dates. Significantly the highest yield of 22.99 mt/ha was also recorded at transplanted date on 30th October. Similarly, higher vitamin C content (86.11 mg/100 g) and the lowest physiological loss in weight was found when it was transplanted on 30th October. The interaction effect revealed that King Dome transplanted on 30th October showed the highest yield of 28.75 mt/ha than other combinations. From this study, it was concluded that the variety King Dome transplanted on 30th October found the best combinations for growth, yield and quality of broccoli at Chitwan conditions.