Growth and yield performance of cauliflower as influenced by NPK fertilization combinations under Western plain zones of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out during 2016-2017 to delineate the best performing combinational doses of NPK on two cauliflower varieties (Pusa Snowball K-1 and Pusa Himjyoti). Four different combinations of NPK kg ha-1, viz. T0 = 0:0:0, T1 = 80:30:60, T2 = 120:60:80 and T3 = 150:70:100 NPK with three replications using two-way factorial analysis. Results revealed that NPK application of 120:60:80 kg ha-1 was found to be performing better for yield contributing characters of cauliflower var. Pusa Snowball K-1 with maximum plant weight (1.50 kg/ plant), net curd weight (659 g/ plant), curd diameter (13.33 cm), curd height (10.12 cm), stalk length (3.25 cm) and curd yield per plot (14.29 kg/plot), whereas, treatment T3, when applied on Pusa Snowball K-1 resulted in better growth in terms of plant height (37.16 cm), plant spread (47.23 cm) and number of leaves (14.93). The study also revealed that ascorbic acid as well as β-carotene contents in curds showed a decreasing trend with increasing level of NPK inputs irrespective of variety. Under Western plain zones of Uttar Pradesh better performance of Pusa Snowball K-1 with NPK application of 120:60:80 kg ha-1 could be suitable combination for cauliflower cultivation.