This document provides information on the production technology of cauliflower. It discusses the introduction, botany, classification, varieties, climate requirements, nursery management, transplanting, nutrient management, and fertigation of cauliflower. The key points are: 1) Cauliflower was introduced to India from England in 1822 and is the largest producer worldwide, though productivity is low compared to other countries. 2) It is classified into four maturity groups depending on curd availability. Popular Indian varieties include Pusa Early, Pant Gobi-2, and Pusa Hybrid 2. 3) Cauliflower requires temperatures between 10-28°C, sunny light, and well

1. PRODUCTIONTECHNOLOGYOF CAULIFLOWER
VANISREE PADMANABHAN
2019534005

2. CAULIFLOWER
 COMMON NAME : Cauliflower
 SCIENTIFIC NAME : Brassica oleracea L.var.botrytis
 FAMILY : Brassicaceae
 CHROMOSOME NO. : 2n=18
 CENTRE OF ORIGIN : Cyprus

3. INTRODUCTION
 Cauliflower was introduced to India from England in 1822 by Dr.Jemson.
 The name was derived from three important words such as Caulis means
cabbage stalk, Floris means flower and botrytis means budding.
 Cauliflower is comparatively a later origin than that of broccoli, probably by
introgression with broccoli gene pool having a close genetic affinity.
 It is grown in all continents of the world, of which Asia is the leading one
followed by Europe.
 India is the largest producer of cauliflower in the world, but the productivity
is very low as compared to other western countries.

4. IMPORTANCE AND USES
 The edible part of cauliflower is known as curd which is botanically the pre-
floral fleshy apical meristem.
 The important volatile compounds such as Nitrites and isothiocyanates
produced on hydrolysis of Glucosinolates by the enzyme Myrosinase which
imparts flavour to curds.
 It has got high quantity of protein (Avg of 2.6g/100g of edible portion).
 The popularity of cauliflower is due to typical flavour, even after cooking.
 The extract of cauliflower curd has been used for scurvuy as a blood
purifier and as antacids.
 It is high source of glucosinolates mainly of sinigrin and Glucobrassicin
having prominent anti-carcinogenic property.

5. BOTANY:
 Cauliflower flower consists of four seplas, four petals
and six stamens of which two are short and two with
superior ovary.
 The form of curd is characterized by three main changes
in growth pattern of plant;
i)leaf development is curtailed so that
only bracts are present throughout the curd.
ii)all lateral buds are elongated into shoots
whose apices make up the convex surface of the curd.
iii)the internodes of the shoot system are
shortened.

6. CLASSIFICATION OF CAULIFLOWER
 Depending upon the time of curd availability, it is classified into four
maturity group,
Group I (September to early November)
Group II (mid Nov to early December )
Group III(mid Dec to mid Jan )
Group IV(mid Jan to early March) -Late type(snow ball cauliflower)
INDAIN CAULIFLOWER

7. DIFFERENCES AMONG INDIAN AND EUROPEAN TYPE.
S.N
O
FEATURES INDIAN CAULIFLOWER EUROPEAN CAULIFLOWER
1. HEAT Tolerant Not tolerant
2. Temperature for curd
formation
At and above 20⁰C At 5-20⁰C
3. Seed production Annual Biennial
4. Curd characters Yellow colour, loose with
strong flavour
Snow-white colour with very mild
or no flavour
5. Maturity period Early Late
6. Variability More Less
7. Self-incompatibility More Less
8. Juvenile phase Small large
9. Vernalization Not required.However
requires cold treatment of
10-13⁰C for 6 weeks.
Required

8.  According to Swarup and Chatterjee(1972),the typical characteristics of most
desirable ideotype in cauliflower should be as follows;
S.N0 CHARACTERISTICS SPECIFICATION
1. Maturity Specific group (70-80% uniformity)
2. Stalk length 12-15cm
3. Frame 35-45cm
4. Leaf number 18-22
5. Leaf length 50-55cm
6. Leaf shape Hemispherical
7. Curd size 15-18cm
8. Curd weight 750-1000g
9. Curd colour Relative white
10. Relative resistance to Black rot, stump rot.

9. VARIETIES:
EXTRA EARLY GROUP(20-27⁰C)
Variety Breeding
methods
Salient features Variety
Early kunwari Selection from
local cultivar
• September to October maturity group.
• Curds semispherical with even
surface
• Field tolerant to alterneria blight and
black rot.
• Yield 100q/ha
Pusa early
synthetic
Synthetic variety Suits for early planting
Resistance to riceyness
Small to medium curd
Y-117q/ha
Kashi kunwari Tolerate to high rainfall during its
vegetative growth
Curds semi dome type
Y-300-350q/ha

10. EARLY GROUP(20-25⁰):
varieties Breeding method Salient features
Pusa deepali Selection from local
cultivars
• Oct maturity group
• With compact self branched and
white curds
• Can accommodate more no.of
plants per unit area because of its
growth habit
• Very popoular among farmers of
Punjab, UP
• Y-150-200q/ha
Pusa kartik Selection from local
cultivar
• Medium sized plant
• Tolerant to fuzziness
• Avg wt of curd 500-700g
Pusa
meghana
Developed by recurrent
sel.by using heterozygous
material from hazipur.
• Suits in indo gangetic plains under
hot humid weather
• Semi spreading with 5-7cm long
stalks and 45-48cm height
• Y-165-184q/ha

11. CONTD..
Arka kranti • White compact curds
• Maturity within 60 days
• Y-250q/ha
Pant gobi -2 Population improvement
of locally adopted
cultivars
• Curds medium compact
and yellowish in colour
• Y-100q/ha
Pant gobi-3 synthetic • Early maturing group

12. MEDIUM GROUP(16-20⁰C)
Varieties Breeding method Salient features
Improved
japanese
Introduction from
Israel
• Long erect with narrow leaves
• Medium sized curds
• Y-150q/ha
Pant subhra Developed by single
recurrent sel.from
PI2727 .
• Curds are creamy
white,compact,medium size
and free from riceyness
• Slightly conical in shape
• Y-200q/ha
Pant gobi -4 Developed by
recurrent sel.from
local variety aghani
• Mid early group
• Curds are creamy
white,compact,medium size
and not ricey.
• Y-143q/ha
Pusa subhra Hydrization.A triple
cross of MGS 2-
3,15-1-1 and D-96
• Curds white,compact and free
from riceyness
• Resistant to black rot

13. CONTD..
Pusa
himjyoti
Pure line sel.from “MG 2-
4”
• Curds white,self branched
• Avg wt of curd 500-600g
• Only variety which can be
grown in hills during April to July
Pusa hybrid
2
• Resistant to downy mildew
• Very popular among the
farmers of UP,Bihar
• Y-230-250q/ha
Pusa sharad Selection • Mid early group
• Compact and white curds
• Y-240q/ha
Pusa aghani • Produces large compact white
heads
• Y-150-160q/ha
Pusa
synthetic
Synthetic involving 7
inbred lines
• Resistant to curd blight
• Medium ,creamy white

14. MID LATE GROUP (12-16⁰C)
Varieties Breeding method Salient features
Pusa synthetic Synthesized from
a few good
combiner inbred
lines
• Mid season variety with creamy
white to white compact curd
• Curds available during Dec to
Jan
Kashi Agahani Notified through
central variety
release committee
• Mid-late maturity group
• Recommended for Punjab,UP
Varieties Breeding method Salient features
Dania • It is sensitive to fluctuating environment
but performs successfully in eastern
regions more specifically.
• plants are very strudy having waxy self
blanching leaves.
Late group (10-16 ⁰C

15. Ooty -1 Population improvement
of an adopted type of
Nilgiri hill areas
• Late variety suitable for
hilly regions of
Tamilnadu,1800 MSL
Pusa snowball -
1
Developed by sel from
exotic lines (EC12013
&EC12012)
• Jan to Feb maturity group
suitable for cultivation in
cool season
• Curds become ready for
harvest in Jan to Feb in
north plains of India
Pusa snowball -
2
Developed by sel from
EC 12012
• Compact and solid curds

16. Pusa snowball -16
 Curds are snow white, compact,medium to large.
 Maturity duration 100 to 110 days
Pusa snowball K-1
 Sel from an exotic snowball type
 Self branching type
 Curds snow white and compact
 Moderately resistant to black rot

17. Pusa snowball Kt-25
 Tolerant to Sclerotinia rot and black
rot.
 Posses upright waxy leaves slightly
bending innerside.
Punjab gaint 35
 Developed through population
improvement.
 Sensitive to riceyness.
 Solid and yellowish white curds.

18. Important hybrids of cauliflower:
Source Hybrids
IARI, New Delhi Pusa hybrid -2
Indo American hybrid seeds,Bangalore Himani, Swati
Mahyco hybrid seed Mahyco No.310 and No.311
Century seeds Pvt.Ltd. Agethi Hinlata
Bejoo Sheetal Seeds Ltd. Poonum and Priya
Namdhari Seeds Pvt.Ltd.,Bangalore NS-60 and NS-66
Sungro Seeds Ltd.,New Delhi Summer King
Seminis Vegetable Seeds Ltd. Megha,Sweta,Subhra,sukanya

19. CLIMATE REQUIREMENTS
 Cauliflower is a thermo-sensitive crop which can be grown at average temperature
of as low as 5-8⁰C to as high as 25-28⁰C.
 vegetative stage: As the plant develops leaves and hence both water requirement
and soil fertility should be optimum along with temperature which should be a
few degree higher than the optimum needed for curd initiation stage.
 Curd initiation stage:Depending upon cultivars,curd initiation phase of
cauliflower may continue for at least 10-15 days and the temperature fluctuation
shouldn’t be more which will deteriorate the curd quality.
 Curd development stage: the period after curd initiation to till harvest pf the curd
is known as curd development phase, where temperature fluctuation is highly
detrimental for quality curd production.

20.  Dry and low humidity causes curds to be small and hard as well.
 About 10-21⁰C temperature is required for seed germination
Light :
Cauliflower requires sunny light for better growth and development.it is been
observed that at higher altitude the long day length provides faster growth rate.
Soil requirement :
 Sandy loam to clay loam in texture
 Neutral soil(pH 5.5-7.0)
 Well drained
 Fairly deep
In general,early variety should be grown in light soil and mid and late season
variety grown in loamy to clay loam soil for higher curd yield.

21. SEED RATE:
 The general seed rate is ;
1g cauliflower seeds contains about 300-350 number of seeds.
Spacing :
Maturity group Open pollinated
varieties (g/ha)
Hybrids (g/ha)
Early and mid season 500-750 350
Mid late and late 300-500 250
Maturity group Open pollinated
varieties
Hybrids
Early and mid season 60cm X30cm 60cm X45cm
Mid late and late 60cm X 45cm 60cm X 60cm

22. NURSERY MANAGEMENT:
 A raised beds of about 90cm width and convinent length are prepared adding well
decomposed FYM 5hg/m² along with 5g each of NPK and 4g of captan or thiram
into the nursery soil.
 Seeds treated with captan 2.5g/kg of seeds should be sown sparsely in V-shape
tiny furrows spaced at 10cm and 1.5-2cm between the seeds and at a depth of 1.5-
2cm.
 The beds after seed sowing are made moist by sprinkling water abd covered with
dry grass or polyethylene sheet, which is removed after seedlings emerge out.
 The seed germination is epigeal and takes 5-7days to complete.
 The bed is drenched with captan 0.2% soln at 3rd and 10th day of sowing to protect
seedlings from damping off disease.

23. PROTRAY NURSERY
 Protrays of 98 cells are ideal for
cauliflower seedling production.
 Around 600 protrays are required for
one hectare(28,333 seedlings).
 The growing media used sterilized
cocopeat @720kg/ha is mixed with 10kg
of neem cake and azospirillum and
phosphobactria 1kg.
 About 1.25kg required for each tray.

24. Transplanting:
 For early varieties 5-6 weeks old seedlings while for mid and late varieties 3-4
weeks old seedlings are transplanted.
 Over matured seedlings should not be transplanted since they intend to produce
button like curds.
 After 7-10 days after transplanting, the possibility of seedlings mortality may be
there especially in case of early varieties which should be immediately filled by
transplanting.
 About 35,000 to37,000 healthy seedlings per ha can be accommodated.
 It is reported that spraying seedlings with 0.1ppm IBA or10ppm NAA gives better
establishment and enhance the vegetative growth and yield in cauliflower.

25. NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT:
 Cauliflower is treated as heavy feeder of nutrients for better growth and curd
yield.
 The crop also requires high amount of organic manure whereas excessive use may
contribute to tip burn, hollow stem and internal browing.
 As the crop is very sensitive to soil acidity, lime should be applied to maintain the
soil pH of 6.5 to7.0
 About 125-130:60-80:60-80kg NPK/ha +FYM @20-25t/ha for open pollinated
varieties while 200:100:100kg NPK/ha+FYM @25t/ha for hybrids.

26. FERTIGATION:
 Fertigation requirement for F1 hybrid 200:125:125kg of NPK/ha.Apply once in
every three days throughout the cropping period.
 Spacing 60 X45X45cm in paired row.
75% of recommended dose of P applied as superphosphate=586kg/ha
1.19:19:19+MN =63kg
2.13:0:45 =119kg
3.Urea =368kg
4.0-0-50=121kg
5.12:61:0=32kg

27. S.no. Crop stage Duration
in days
Fertilizer
grade
Total
fertilize
r(kg/ha)
Nutrient supplied %requirement
1 Transplanting to
establishment
stage
10 19:19:19+MN
13-0-45
Urea(46%N)
62.66
7.33
15.33
11.906
0.953
7.866
11.906
-
-
11.906
3.300
-
10.00 9.70 12.00
SUBTOTAL 85.333 19.91 11.90 15.20
2 Curd initiation
stage
25 13-0-45
12-61-0
Urea
111.33
31.333
204.00
14.47
3.760
93.84
-
19.11
-
50.100
-
56.00 15.30 40.00
SUBTOTAL 346.66 112.0 19.11 50.10
3 Curd
development
stage
35 Urea (40%)
0-0-50
148.00
120.666
68.08
-
-
-
-
-
34.00 - 48.00
SUBTOTAL 268.666 68.080 - 60.333
TOTAL
DURATION
70 Total 200.06 31.019 125.63 100 25 100
N P K N P K
FERTIGATION SCHEDULE:RECOMMENDED DOSE : 200;125:125 Kg/ha

28. USE OF BIO-FERTILIZERS:
 Bo-fertilizer such as Azospirillum or Azotobacter for nitrogen and PSB for
phosphorus should be applied either as seed treatment or seedling treatment in
order to increase the growth, yield and quality.
 In case of seedling treatment, bio-fertilizers @1.5-2kg/ha should be mixed with
10-15 litres of water.
 Method of application:
 Band placement of fertilizers is highly beneficial in cauliflower.
 The whole FYM or organic manure should be applied at the time of final land
preparation before transplanting of seedlings.
 In open pollinated crops the full dpse P&K along with ½dose N and the remaining
½ as top dressing at 35 days after transplanting.
 In the hybrids the remaining ½dose of N applied on two equal splits on 35 & 55
days after transplanting.

29. WATER MANAGEMENT:
 Since it is a shallow rooted crop, most of the roots are available within 45-
60cm,hence require proper soil moisture throughout the cropping period for
optimum growth and yield.
Critical stages of Irrigation:
 Immediately after transplanting of seedlings.
 During active vegetative stage.
 Curd initiation stage.
 Curd development stage.

30. INTERCULTURAL OPERATIONS:
 Hoeing and earthing up :
Generally 2-3 hoeing and earthing up is done.
Earthing up done preferably;
After each top dressing
After heavy irrigation.
after rainy season, because the roots may be exposed after every
shower especially on ridge planting.

31. WEED CONTROL:
 Pre planting application of Basalin(Fluchloralin) @2-2.5 L/ha or pendimethalin
(Stamp)@3lit/ha in the final land preparations followed by one hand weeding at
40-45 days after planting is very much effective to control of weeds.
 Mulching with paddy husk(10cm thick) or mango leaves or black polythene has
been found to be beneficial in increasing the vegetative growth as well as curd
yield in cauliflower.

32. USE OF PGRS:
Name of PGRs Concentration
(mg/ha)
Method of application Attributes affect
NAA 10ppm Starter solution to seedlings Better crop stand and growth
GA₃ 100ppm Crop Vegetative growth and curd
quality
IBA 10ppm Seedlings Yield increasing
GA+NAA 100ppm+120ppm Foliar spray Yield increasing
GA+UREA 50ppm+1% Foliar spray Yield increasing
GA 50ppm Foliar spray at 20 &40 DAT Yield increasing

33. BLANCHING:
 It is essential intercultural operation
adopted in cauliflower in order to
protect the curds from attaining yellow
colour after their exposure to sun light.
 The usual method to exclude light is to
tie the outer leaves when the curd is
8cm in diameter.
 The blanching operation should be
done before the curd is harvested,
atleast 3-4 days in hot weather while 8-
12 days in cool weather before actual
harvested.

34. CROP ROTATION:
 According to the Randhawa and Singh(1997)maximum returns was obtained
from crop rotation of cauliflower-tomato-onion followed by late cauliflower
when intercropped with spinach.
 Randhawa(1990) and singh(1996) have suggested the following crop rotation
that has been beneficial under indian conditions;
1)cauliflower-tomato-okra
2) brinjal-cauliflower-bittergourd
3)early cauliflower-radish-chilli
4)okra-cauliflower-French bean
5)cow pea-radish-cauliflower

35. HARVESTING:
 The curds become ready for harvesting in 60-80 days after
transplanting in early varieties and 90-100 days in mid and 110-120
days in late varieties.
 Maturity index of cauliflower is the compactness of curd and it is said
to be over mature if inflorescence peduncle or flower pedicels start
elongating, which make the curds loose.
 Early cultivars produce smaller curds than mid and late ones, while
consumer prefer the medium size curd having diameter between 15
and 25cm.

36. YIELD
 Early varieties varies 12-15 t/ha ,while the mid season cultivars can
yield up to 20t/ha.
 The highest yield is, however, obtained from snowball group cultivars
because of their more compact curds and larger plant population per
unit area as compared to mid season group cultivars and the yield
may vary from 250-300q/ha.

37. POST HARVEST MANAGEMENT:
 A)Grading:
The harvested curds before package and sending to market should be
graded properly as per compactness, size and colour etc.,
In India, cauliflower curds are usually graded into three grades:
 Grade A(Super): big sized curds with bright coloured and compacted in
nature.
 Grade B(fancy): curd should be medium in size,compact with full shining
without any spot in the curd.
 Grade C(Commercial): curds should be small to medium in size,free from
any blemishes etc.,

38. B)Packing:
 Utmost ,care should be taken in handling of cauliflower curds because of
tenderness which can easily damage.
 For distant market curd should be packed properly in a basket or crates.
 For local market curds can be packed either loose gunny bags, upper
portions being covered with grasses with proper stretches.
 For export purpose, cauliflower should be packed in crates or card board
boxes.
 It is always recommended for tight packing of cauliflower curds to protect
the shifting and bruishing damage.

39. STORAGE:
 During winter season, cauliflower curd can be stored except two to
three days under ambient conditions without much reduction in quality.
 Under cold storage curds can be stored up to 30 days without much
reduction in quality at a temperature of 0⁰C to 17 ⁰C with RH of 80-
90%.
 The cauliflower curd harvested at full maturity and stored with their
leaves contained more vitamin C than those harvested at immature
stage and leaves removed before storage.

40. IMPORTANT PESTS AND DISEASES
Name of the pest Damage Biological control
Diamond black moth
( Plutella xylostella)
Larvae damage leaves by feeding
underside near veins. This leads to
leaves having windows or holes on
them.
• Use of natural enemies like Cotesia
plutella and Diadegma semiclausum
( larval parasitoids)
• Use of NSKE sprays @ 3-5ml per
litre of water at weekly intervals.
• Trap cropping with mustard and
marigold.
• 1:15 mustard: cauliflower rows.
• Spray BT var kurstaki @ 200ml per
litre /ha at 12-15 days interval.

41. Aphids
(Myzus persicae,
Hyadaphis erysimi and
Brevicoryne brassicae)
Leaves get crinkled, curled or cup shaped.
The plant can be infested at any growth
stage. In severe cases, the entire plant may
wilt. Aphids also produce honey dew on
which sooty mould grows.
Use of natural enemies- parasitic
wasps and coccinellid predators
namely ladybird larvae, and lace
wing larvae.
Spray Metarhizium / Verticillium @
3-5g/l
Mulch cropping.
Use of neem extract @ 3% sprays.

42. Curd rot
( Erwinia carotovora / Sclerotinia
sclerotiarum)
Rotting takes place at any place
of the curd. Curds are rendered
unmarketable leading to total
loss.
Pseudomonas/ Trichoderma
spray @ 5ml/l
Crop rotation
Hot water seed treatment
Disease free seeds/ resistant
cultivars.
Rouging and burning
Clean contaminated equipments
Avoid working when plants are
wet.
Bacterial diseases

43. Black rot ( Xanthomonas
campestris pv. campestris)
Infection takes place from points
of insect attack. Yellowing of
tissue leads to chlorosis forming
‘V’ shaped lesions with the base
towards the midrib. The veins
and veinlets of chlorotic tissue
shows black discolouration which
at later stages leads to rotting.
Crop rotation with cruciferous
crops.
Use of resistant cultivars.
Avoid over wetting of fields.
Seed treatment with tap water for
30minutes followed by hot water at
52c for 30minutes.
Further treatment with Azotobacter-
Pseudomonas slurry and then sow.
Trichoderma / pseudomonas @
5ml/l

44. FUNGAL DISEASES
Stalk rot /
white rot
Leaves loose turgidity during the day but recover at
night. Affected plants become dull-whitish green and
turn pale yellow. Dark brown to black soft rot and fluffy
mycelia growth occurs on the petiole of lower leaves.
Black to dark brown spots appears on the stalks, which
enlarge and girdle stem at the ground level. The stalks
are filled with fluffy mycelia and black sclerotia. Curds
lose the compactness followed by development of white
rot.
Use of hot water sprays.
Wider spacing
Use of fungicidal compost teas.
Use neem + ginger/ turmeric
extract @ 3%
Add VAM 2.5-3g/l and drench in
the soil
Remove and destroy the diseased
debris
Pseudomonas spray @ 5ml/l for
initiation of curd to maturity at
weekly intervals.

45. Downy mildew
( Peronospora parasitica)
Dark brown depressed
lesions which turn into downy
fungal growth are found on
the stems. Purplish- brown
spots appear on underside of
leaves which are fully covered
by downy growth at later
stages. The heads are
damaged leading to curd rot.
Use of fungicidal compost
teas as foliar sprays.
Trichoderma/ Pseudomonas
spray @ 3-5g/l
Add VAM @ 2.5-3g/l and drench
Maintain proper hygiene and
tilth of soil and avoid water-
logging in poly house or fields.

46. Damping – off
( Rhizoctonia solani)
Infection occurs at the base of
stem or at the ground level.
Tissues become water-
soaked leading to rotting and
collapse of seedling. It occurs
both at pre-emergence and
post emergence stage. This is
the main cause of mortality of
seedlings.
Use of fungicidal compost
teas as foliar sprays.
Wider spacing
Soil incorporation of wheat
bran.
Trichoderma/ Pseudomonas
spray @ 3-5g/l
Trichoderma - 4g/kg seed
treatment.
Add VAM @ 2.5-3g/l and drench
Prepare raised beds and
maintain appropriate tilth and
avoid water-logging.

47. Clubroot
(Plasmodiophora brassicae)
It infects cole crops through
the root hairs or through
wounds on larger roots. As
the fungus spreads it
distorts and disfigures the
roots, causing them to swell
and crack, allowing
secondary organisms to
invade and aid in decay. The
disease is favored by acid
soils; therefore, liming is
recommended if the soil pH
is lower than 7.2.
• good drainage.
• controlling brassica type
weeds.

48. PHYSIOLOGICAL DISORDERS
 Riceyness - surface of curd is loose and
has a velvety appearance due to
elongation of pedicel and formation of
small white flower buds at curding stage.
 Fluctuating and unfavourable
temperature, high humidity or excess N
dosages are the main causes.
 Select appropriate cultivars for planting
and maintain proper manuring levels.
causes the curds to become uneven and
fuzzy, reducing marketability.
 Warm temperatures (> 68º F) during curd
development are the cause of this
disorder. Some newer hybrids can
develop heads at 68 to 80ºF.

49.  Hollow stem- is caused by rapid
growth, usually due to excessive
nitrogen levels and high
temperatures.
 The plant stem experiences rapid
growth, and the core or pith cracks,
leaving the stem hollow.
 Another factor that contributes to
this disorder is plant spacing. The
closer the plant spacing, the less
likely this phenomenon will occur.

50.  Buttoning-occurs when immature
plants are exposed to consistently
low temperatures for a prolonged
period.
 This stimulates the young plants to
produce reproductive structures —
the flower buds and curd—and
small, loose heads are formed.
 Deficiency of N
 Planting early varieties late.
 Avoid transplanting aged seedlings.

51.  Bolting- is caused by many factors
and depends on the crop and the
varieties grown.
 Stress caused by too much or too little
water, transplant shock, day lengths of
more than 12 hours, and low
temperatures during the early stages
of development are all contributing
factors.
 Fuzziness-
 Due to elongation of pedicels of
velvety curds.

52.  Blindness- damage to the growing
points by pest / low temperature.
Plants without terminal bud fail to
form curd. The leaves of blind plants
become thicker and leathery.
 Chlorosis- interveinal yellow mottling
of lower older leaves causes chlorosis.
Magnesium deficiency is the cause.
 Leafy curds-
 Development of small green leaves
inside the segments of curd making
them leafy. Temperature fluctuations
or high temperature at curd initiation
are the causes.

53.  Browning- water-s oaked light brown
to dark brown spots formed on stems
and curds leading to browning. It can
be corrected by addition of boron-
borax- 1kg/500L of water 30DAP.
 Whiptail – caused by molybdenum
deficiency. Normal leaf blade
development fails and strap leaves are
formed. In extreme cases, only midrib
develops, hence the name whiptail.
 More pronounced in acidic soils.
 Correction- spraying 100g of sodium
molybdate in 500L of water- 30DAP.

54.  Tipburn-
browning of internal leaf edges or tips within the heads of cabbage, Brussels
sprouts, and cauliflower. These brown spots tend to break down during storage or
transport, allowing secondary organisms to decay the product.
 Causes-
 rapid growth caused by excessive nitrogen, high temperature, water stress, and
calcium deficiency.
 Calcium can be present in the soil but its translocation to the plant is limited, and
it may not be available to accommodate rapid growth.
 Supplemental nitrogen applications should be timed to avoid rapid growth in the
later stages of plant development.

55. INFLUENCE OF BORON AND MOLYBDENUM ON
GROWTH,YIELD AND QUALITY OF CAULILOWER.
 Vivek Singh, Amit Kumar Singh, Tushar Raghuvanshi,Maneesh Kumar
Singh , Vineet Singh and Umesh Singh
ABSTARCT :The field experiment conducted during the winter season of the
year 2012-2013 to asses the efficacy of various levels of B and Mo on
growth and quality of cauliflower.
VARIETY :Pusa hybrid 2.
TREATMENTS : 12
FOLIAR APPLICATION : boron@100ppm,Mo @50ppm(alone &
combination)
SOIL APPLICATION: borax@10 and 20kg/ha and sodium Mo@1 and
2kg/ha(alone &combination)
CONTROL: NPK(120:60:60kg/ha)
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2017) 6(10)

56. RESULT AND DISCUSSION:
Parameters T12 (borax 20kg/ha+sodium
molybdate 2kg/ha)
Control(NPK@120:60:60)
Height of the plant 60.9cm 51.67cm
Number of leaves per
plant
21.35leaves 16.36 leaves
Fresh weight of leaves
per plant
896.0g 810.6g
Length and width of the
plant
51.85cm and 20.24cm 44.97cm and 13.38cm
Total weight of plant 1.93kg 1.65 kg
Shortest period of curd
maturity
71.85 days 75.43 days
Width of curd 16.84cm 11.81cm
Avg wt of curd 893.3g 625.0g
Yield 254.63q/ha 186.41q/ha
-International journal of current microbiology and applied sciences

57. Plant height no.of leaves per plant fresh wt of leaves
Total wt of plant days to curd maturity avg wt of curd

58. CONCLUSION
 The increase in the growth characters is due to the collective effect of
boron and molybdenum.
 Boron plays role in enhancing the translocation of carbohydrates from
the site of synthesis to reproductive tissues in the curd and Mo
stimulates the photosynthesis and enhance the metabolic process.
 It is concluded that the curd yield of cauliflower is highest at
borax@20kg/ha and sodium molybdenum@2kg/ha and it can be
recommended as soil application in combination with
NPK@120:60:60kg/ha to increase the growth ,seed yield and quality of
cauliflower.

59. RESPONSE OF DIFFERENT SOWING DATES ON THE
GROWTH AND YIELD OF CAULIFLOWER
 Muhammad Din, Muhammad Qasim, Noor Elahi Jan and Faridullah
Abstract: The effect of sowing date on the growth and yield of cauliflower was studied under
the agro climatic conditions of juglote,Pakistan during 2003.
Treatments:
radomized complete block design (RCBD)Five treatments 4 replications.
1st june ,15thjune, 1st july and 5th july.
Cultivar used : snow ball type.
Seeds sown at 15 days interval at about 10cm apart and transplanted after 36 days with a
interval of 15 days.
After one week of transplantation NPK @60:90:60 kg/ha applied.
Harvested when head attains proper stage. The marketable head weight is considered as
1kg or more.
sarhad J.Agric.Vol.23,No.2-2007

60. Treatment Fresh weight
(kg/plant)
Head
weight(kg/pla
nt)
Head
diameter(cm)
No.of
marketable
heads/plot
Yield(t/ha)
1st June 2.23 1.13 15.19 26.00 30.28
16th June 2.60 1.38 13.86 27.00 37.83
1st July 1.80 0.65 11.92 24.60 15.80
16th July 1.25 0.59 10.13 21.00 20.99
31st July 0.86 0.28 5.50 12.00 3.25
LSD(0.05) 0.71 0.30 2.54 2.41 14.83
• The field experiment revealed that the yield (kg/ha)of cauliflower was significantly affected by sowing
dates.
• The maximum yield of 37.83t/ha of cauliflower planted on 16th June was recorded, while the lowest yield
of 3.25t/ha was produced when the crop was planted on 31st July. This serious reduction in yield beyond
16th June in the experiment may be explained in the basis of temperature of the region.
• The recommendation derived from this study is that JUNE is the most appropriate and suitable sowing
time for cauliflower cultivation under the agro-ecological conditions of Juglote, Gilgit.

61. BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF
FRESH AND PROCESSED WHITE CAULIFLOWER
 Fouad A. Ahmed and Rehab F. M. Ali
 The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different
blanching (i.e., water and steam) and cooking (i.e., water boiling,steam
boiling, microwaving, and stir-frying) methods on the nutrient components,
phytochemical contents (i.e., polyphenols,carotenoids, flavonoid, and
ascorbic acid), antioxidant activity measured by DPPH assay, and
phenolic profiles of white cauliflower.
-BioMed Research International

62.  Treatments:
 Water blanching -1000ml water -100 ⁰C immersed for 3mins
 Steam blanching-suspended over 1000ml water for 3mins
 Water boiling -1000ml water -100 ⁰C immersed for 6mins
 Steam boiling -suspended over 1000ml water for 6mins
 Microwave cooking-florets placed in glass beaker and 10ml water added –for
3mins
 Stir frying-heated in sunflower oil for 4mins 30secs.
Analytical methods:
i)Chemical composition
ii)Ascorbic acid determination
iii)Total carotenoid
iv)Total polyphenols
v)Total flavonoids
vi)Antioxidant activity –DPPH METHOD
vii)Phenolics compounds –HPLC METHOD

63. RESULT AND DISCUSSION:
 Chemical composition:
 Moisture content: increased in blanching and boiling ;low in stir fried
 Protein –fresh cauliflower higher &significant reduction in others and
highly reduced in stir fried.
 Fat content –high in stir fried and reduced in water boiling and blanching.
 Minerals :highest reduction in water boiled and others have greatest
retention. water blanching and boiling resulted in high loss of Potassium,
sodium and iron.

65. CONCLUSION:
 As shown in the study, blanching, boiling, microwaving and stir frying affect
the composition, phyto chemical contents, antioxidant activity and phenolic
profile of white cauliflower.
 Water boiling and blanching processes caused significant loss of dry matter
,protein, minerals and phytochemicals.
 However, steam treatments (blanching and cooking), stir frying, and
microwaving caused slight losses, and they result in the greatest retention of
nutrients and phytochemicals

66. OPTIMIZATION OF NITROGEN NUTRITION OF CAULIFLOWER
INTERCROPPED WITH CLOVER AND IN ROTATION WITH LETTUCE
MARCO TEMPESTAA, GIORGIO GIANQUINTOB, MARKUS HAUSERC, MASSIMO
TAGLIAVINIA,⁎
 The intercropping of cauliflower with a leguminous species may help
farmers reduce N fertilizer rate.
 In In this study, cauliflower was cultivated in year one either alone or
intercropped with annual clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.), using four
N fertilization rates: 0, 75, 150and 300 kg N ha (referred to as N0, N1,
N2, and N3 respectively). Following crop residue incorporation in year
two, iceberg lettuce was cropped on the same field without the supply
of N fertilizer to assess the effect of cauliflower and clover residues as
well as of residual N fertilizer rates on the growth and N uptake of
lettuce.

67. YIELD OF CAULIFLOWER

68. DRY BIOMASS

69. N CONTENT

70. CROP RESIDUE

71. LETTUCE BIOMASS AND N CONTENT

72. DISCUSSION:
 In our study, the clover has not provided additional N to the
intercropped cauliflower and it adversely affected both its growth and
N uptake if no N fertilizer was supplied.
 This suggests either a low atmospheric N fixation by rhizobia bacteria
associated with clover roots and/or that a low transfer of N from
atmospheric N fixation from clover.
 It might also be possible that clover has negatively affected cauliflower
growth due to competition for light during the vegetative stages.
 However, the fact that such competition was not present when N
fertilizer at the two rates N1 and N2 was provided, suggests
competition for N was the main reason for growth depression of
intercropped cauliflower at N0.

73.  When cauliflower was cultivated alone, the growth and N uptake were unaffected
by N fertilizer rates, whereas the highest yields were obtained with the N-fertilizer
rate equal to 75 kg N/ha.
 This N rate also maximized N uptake, plant growth, and yields when cauliflower
was intercropped with clover.
 Intercropping a N-fixing species like clover did not affect either the cauliflower
marketable yield or the N uptake when the crop was fertilized with N.
 However, where no N was supplied, growth and N uptake by intercropped
cauliflower was hampered by the presence of clover.
 The benefit of intercropping clover with cauliflower was observed on the growth
and N uptake by the lettuce crop that followed cauliflower.
 The higher amount of N present in the residues left after by both cauliflower and
clover in the intercropped plots fertilized with 75–150 kg N/ha caused the
highest growth and N uptake of lettuce plants grown in succession.
 In conclusion, although the presence of clover did not reduce the N fertilizer
needs of the intercropped cauliflower, it contributed to enhancing the soil N
availability and yields of the succeeding crop.

74. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND HERBICIDAL POTENT OF
CAULIFLOWER AND CABBAGE TURNIP
I. SAAD, I. RINEZ, B. DRIDI ALMOUHANDES, R. HAOUALA
 This study was conducted to evaluate the phytochemical content and
allelopathic potential of two cabbages varieties, ie. Cauliflower (B. oleracea
var. Botrytis) and cabbage turnip (B. oleracea var. gongylodes).
 Their aqueous and organic extracts were evaluated on lettuce (Lactuca sativa
L.) and one of the most dominant weeds in Tunisia, nettle-leaf goosefoot
(Chenopodium murale L.). Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the
smothering potential of the two varieties.
 Brassica vegetables, including B. oleracea L., are frequently cited as
allelopathic crops and are a significant source of glucosinolates,
polyphenols, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins and alkaloids
Sci. Agri. 14 (2), 2016:

75. Plant material
 Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) and cabbage turnip (Brassica oleracea var.
gongylodes) leaves were collected after eliminating heads at the harvesting stage.
Extraction
 Aqueous extracts
 Fresh leaves of cauliflower and cabbage turnip were rinsed and were then oven-dried at 60°C
for 72 h and grinded.
 Fifty grams of each dried material were soaked in 1L distilled water at room temperature for
24 h to give a concentration of 50 g/L (Chon et al., 2005).
 The extracts were filtered several times and kept at 4°C in the dark until use.
 Organic extracts
 Sequential extraction was done with organic solvents of increasing polarity: petroleum
ether, chloroform and methanol.
 A 100 g mass of leaves dried powder was immersed in organic solvent for 7 days at room
temperature.
 Organic extracts were evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure at 45-50°C, using
rotavapor.
 The residue was weighed and the yield was determined. Dry fractions were stored at 4°C
until use.
 The extracts were tested at three concentrations (1, 3 and 6 mg mL-1) in bioassays.
Sci. Agri. 14 (2), 2016:

76. LABORATORY BIOASSAY:
 Tests with aqueous extract:
 Extracts diluted with distilled water with conc.10,20,30,40 and 50g/L.
For germination test, Twenty imbibed seeds of target species placed in Petri
dish and 5ml of each extract applied as pre treatment.
 Treatments arranged in a completely randomized design with 3replications.
 Germinated seeds were counted at 24h intervals during 7 days and GI was
calculated.
For growth test, 20 pre-germinated seeds of target species placed in Petri dish
and 5ml of each extract applied as pre treatment.
 Seedlings watered with distilled water taken as control.
 Treatments arranged in a completely randomized design with 3replications
and shoot and root length measured at seven days after sowing.

77.  Test with organic extracts:
 For organic extracts,two residues concentrated from petroleum ether,
chloroform and methanol were dissolved in conc.of 1,3,6mg/ml.
Field experiments:
Area of 100m²with 3blocks were two plots with each treatments and one as
fallow(control).
Discussion :
Phytochemical analysis:
Cauliflower aqueous have high amount of polyphenols and total alkaloids
whereas cabbage turnip was richer in condensed tannins.
In organic extracts phytochemical content in methanol extracts is higher than the
others.

78. PHYTOTOXICITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACTS:
 On germination: for lettuce germination canceled at 40g/L with both
extracts.
 For weed the inhibitory effect observed in delay of germination speed.
GI reached 50% and 17.9% with cauliflower and cabbage turnip at
50g/L.
 On seedlings growth: both extracts reduced the root length of lettuce
and weed.
 At lower conc.both extracts stimulated the shoot growth of lettuce
(63% and 30%)and for weeds shoot growth slightly stimulated only by
cauliflower but the inhibition was 60% with cabbage turnip.

79. ORGANIC EXTRACTS:
 Yield: cabbage turnip had the highest yield with PE and chloroform but
with methanol bioth had the same yield.
 Seed germinination: cauliflower extaract did not influence the
germination rate of lettuce in any form and for weed it is vey toxic and
the inhibition reached 76%,85% and 80% with PE ,chloroform and
ME.
 Cabbage turnip extract of PE and chloroform did not affect the
germination of lettuce while weed germination canceled in PE and
decreased from58.7% t 1mg/ml to 21.7% at 6mg/ml.
 On seedling growth: cabbage turnip extarct shows maximum inhibition
of weed growth.

80. CONCLUSION:
 The results of this study indicated that the phytochemicals content
may contribute to the allelopathic activity of cabbage extracts, which is
strongly dependent on the cabbage variety.
 Cabbage turnip extracts showed most important toxicity on target
species as compared with cauliflower extracts.
 Similarly, in field experiment, smothering potential of this cabbage
variety on weeds was more important.
 These results confirm the utility of introducing both cabbages varieties
in a rotational system to improve biological weed control and
decreasing herbicidal products use in agriculture.

81. EFFECT OF DIFFERENT PLANT SPACING ON THE PRODUCTION OF HYBRID
CAULIFLOWER (BRASSICA OLERACEAE VAR. BOTRYTIS) UNDER THE AGRO-
CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF MID-HILLS REGION NEPAL
JOSHI TN*1, BUDHA CB2, SHARMA S3, BARAL SR4, PANDEY NL5 AND
RAJBHANDARI RD6
A field experiment was conducted at Farmer’s field in Banepa,
Kavreplanchowk District during the spring season, 2015 to find out the
optimum plant spacing on cauliflower production.
Four plant spacing viz. (i) 45×45 cm in single row spacing, (ii) 52.5×45 cm in
double row spacing, (iii) 52.5×30 cm single row spacing and iv) 52.5×30 cm
in double row spacing were included in the study.

82. DESIGN OF EXPERIMENT:
 The research was laid out in simple Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD)
with three replications in plot size 3.15×2.25 m2.
 Seeds of a cauliflower variety Silver cup-60 were sown in the nursery in a well-
prepared seedbed (size: 1×3 m) and were covered with the dry straw and maintained
in the plastic tunnel.
 Transplantation was done on 10th May on one side of the ridge with the selected
plant spacing.
 The amounts of fertilizers applied (kg/ha) was as follows: 200:120:100kg
NPK/ha+FYM-Trichoderma virideae (TV) @200gm/plant+FYM @300gm/plant+
Compost @ 100 gm/pit and Boron 2 kg/ha.
 A total amount of DAP, compost, FYM, and boron was applied in the plot during
final land preparation as a basal dose.
 The top dressing of Urea and MoP were applied 15 days after planting. Irrigations
were provided when necessary. Two hand weeding was performed after planting.

83. TREATMENTS:
 T1=45×45 cm single row spacing, T2=52.5×45 cm double row spacing,
T3=52.5×30 cm double row spacing and T4=52.5×30 cm single row.
Parameters to be recorded:
 Three plants per plots were selected randomly for data collection. Mortality
percentage, days taken to 1st curd appearance, plant height (cm), the total
number of leaves per plant, curd diameter (cm), the weight of curd per plant
(kg) and yield per hectare. Harvesting was done at 4-5 days interval
throughout the harvesting season.

84. WWW.ANNEXPUBLISHERS.COM
Spacing (cm) No. of
leaves per
plant
Plant
height(cm)
Canopy
diameter(cm
)
Diameter of
head(cm)
Single head
weight(g)
Avg yield
per plot(t/ha)
45X45 21 27.6 39 16.1 502 14.4
52.5X45 23 31.3 39.5 18 682 17.3
52.5X30
(double)
22 29.4 39 17.3 672 16.8
52.5X30
(single)
20 26.8 45.3 17.2 635 12.5
CV% 2.9 3.6 3.2 4.8 6 4
Plant spacing is an essential factor in the growth and yield of cauliflower.
Amongst various spacing, 52.5×45cm in double row spacing proved better results in all
the aspects. As a result, showed that 52.5×45 cm plant spacing excelled in almost all
parameters.
This means that any increase or decrease within 45 cm plant spacing will have an
adverse or decreasing effect of the growth and yield of cauliflower.