Effect of genotype and spacing on yield and quality traits in broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck) under Pune conditions

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of two varieties viz., Ganesh Broccoli and Pusa Broccoli KTS-1 and five spacing viz., 60 ´ 60 cm, 60 ´ 45 cm, 45 ´ 45 cm, 60 ´ 30 cm and 45 ´ 30 cm on yield and quality traits in broccoli. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications under Pune conditions. The experimental results revealed significant differences among the varieties and spacing for most of growth, yield and quality parameters under study. The variety Ganesh Broccoli performed superior over the variety Pusa Broccoli KTS-1 with number of days to head appearance (32.80 days), days to first harvest (44.00 days), days to 50% harvest (53.40 days), days to last harvest (68.40 days), head diameter (10.81 cm), average weight of head (154.80 g), number of auxiliary tillers (15.11), yield per hectare (70.75 q) and stem hollowness (18.69 %). While variety Pusa Broccoli KTS-1 recorded significantly maximum plant height (65.69 cm), number of leaves (19.81), plant spread (68.65 cm in N-S and 65.8 cm in E-W), days to head appearance (48.47 days), days to first harvest (59.73days), days to 50 % harvest (70.93 days), days to last harvest (85.27 days), number of auxiliary tillers (10.85) and stem hollowness (66.72 %). Amongst five spacing under study, S5 (45 ´ 30 cm) recorded significantly minimum plant height (56.78 cm), number of leaves (15.73), plant spread (53.39 in N-S and 55.63cm in E-W), days to head appearance (37.00), days to first harvest (49.17 days), head diameter (7.93 cm), average weight of head (104.14 g), number of auxiliary tillers (5.18) and percentage of stem hollowness (37.28 %). However, S1 (60 ´ 60 cm) gave significantly maximum values of the various parameters under study except days to 50% harvest (59.83 days) days to last harvest (74.00 days). Hence, variety Ganesh Broccoli performed well than Pusa Broccoli KTS-1 at spacing of 60 ´45 cm and is better suited for commercial cultivation under Pune conditions.