DefinePK

Abstract

Cauliflower is one of largely produced vegetable in however low per hectare yield is a major problem. While improper and less frequent use of high yielding cultivars may be one reason, inadequate and unbalanced doses of fertilizer may be another important constrains leading towards lower yield of vegetable in Pakistan. So, this experiment was conducted to investigate the response of cauliflower cultivars to phosphorus levels, at Horticulture Farm, University of Agriculture, Peshawar. Randomized Complete Block Design was designed with split plot arrangement having two factors i.e., phosphorus levels (0, 40, 60, 80 kg ha-1) and cauliflower cultivars (Peshawar local, Silver Star, White Diamond, White King), which were repeated thrice. It was found that Cauliflower cultivars and phosphorus levels significantly affected growth and yield parameters. The results revealed that maximum number of leaves plant-1 (25.13), days to curd initiation (104), curd diameter (30.64 cm), curd weight (800 g) and yield ha-1 (27.55 tons ) were recorded at phosphorus level of 80 kg P2O5 ha-1, while lower value for all parameters were observed in control plots. Among cultivars, White King showed maximum number of leaves plant-1 (23), days to curd initiation (104), curd diameter (30 cm), curd weight (793 g) and yield ha-1 (19 tons). As the interaction between phosphorus levels and cauliflower cultivars concerned, most of the growth and flowering attributes of cauliflower performed maximum results when cultivar White King was treated with 80 kg P2O5 ha-1. It was concluded that application of phosphorus @ 80 kg ha-1 and cultivar White King showed maximum results regarding yield, and hence recommended for Peshawar growers.
Keywords: Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis L; response; cultivars; phosphorus; levels
http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2015.42007