CAULIFLOWER

Cauliflower is popular vegetable and this belongs to family Cruciferous. Its curd, is come in various color like cream, white, green or purple. Cauliflower is rich source of calcium and minerals. It works as anti-cancer agent. It promotes heart health, lower cholesterol levels. The major cauliflower producing states are Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Assam, Haryana and Maharashtra.

It can grow well in wide range of soil from sandy loam to clay. For late sown variety, clay loam soils are preferred and for early maturing varieties sandy loam soil is recommended. pH of soil should be in range of 6 to 7. Add lime in case of low pH soil.

A)    For plain areas:

Early varieties: Pusa Katki, Early Patna, Ealy Kuwari, Pusa Deepali, Pusa Early Synthetic, Pantgobhi-2, 3 and 4: These varieties can be sown in 15th May to 30th June and the varieties mature in June-July month. The flowering starts in September to October month.
 
Medium varieties: Hisar-1, Pant Shubhra, Pusa Synthetic, Pusa Sharad: These varieties can be sown in 15th July to mid-August and the varieties mature in mid-end September month. The flowering starts in December to January month. 

Late varieties: Snowball-16, Pusa Snowball-1, Pusa Snowball K-1: These varieties can be sown in September to first week of October month and the varieties mature in October to November month. The flowering starts in mid-January to end March month.
 
B)    For hilly areas:

1200-1800m height: Pusa Snowball-1, Pusa Snowball K-1, Snowball-16: These varieties can be sown in August to September month and the varieties mature in September to October month. The flowering starts in January to March month. 

1800m above height: Snowball-16, Pusa Snowball K-1: These varieties can be sown in March to April month and the varieties mature in April to May month. The flowering starts in July to August month. 

Bring soil to fine tilth by ploughing land thoroughly. Add well decomposed cow dung and mixed well in soil at time of last ploughing.

Time of sowing
For plain areas:
Early varieties: 15th May to 30th June
Medium varieties: 15th July to mid-August
Late varieties: September to first week of October.

For hilly areas:
1200-1800m height: August to September
1800m above height: March-April

Spacing
Early varieties: Use spacing of 45 X 45cm.
Medium varieties: Use spacing of 60 X 45cm.
Late varieties: Use spacing of 60 X 50cm.


Sowing Depth
Sow seeds at depth of 1-2cm.
 
Method of sowing
For sowing transplanting method can be used.
Sow seeds in nursery and apply irrigation, fertilizer dose as per requirement. Seedlings are ready to transplant within 25-30 days after sowing. For transplantation use three to four weeks old seedlings.

Seed Rate
For early and medium varieties, use seed rate of 200-250gm/acre and for late varieties, use seed rate of 145-165gm/acre.

Seed Treatment
Before sowing dip seeds in hot water (50°C for 30min) or streptocycline@0.01gm/Ltr for two hours. After treatment dry them in shade and then sow on bed. Black rot mostly observed in Rabi. As a preventive measure seed treatment with mercury chloride is essential. For that dip seeds in Mercury chloride@1gm/Ltr solution for 30min after that dry them in shed. Crop grown in sandy soils are more prone to stem rot. To prevent it do seed treatment with Carbendazim 50%WP@3gm/kg of seeds.


 

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Apply Urea@35-50kg, SSP@25-33kg and MOP16-25kg is mixed in the soil before transplanting. Late and medium varieties require more amount of nutrients. Rest dose of nitrogen@25kg/acre is added after 3-4 weeks of transplanting as topdressing.

To get better flower (Curd) set and to obtain good yield, spray Water Soluble Fertilizer NPK(19:19:19)@10gm/Ltr water during the early plant growth. 40days after transplanting take spray of 12:61:00@4-5gram + microneutrients@2.5 to 3 gram + Boron@1gm per Ltr water. To improve curd quality, apply Water Soluble Fertilizer NPK 13:00:45@20gm/Ltr of water at the time of curd development.

Do soil testing and if magnesium deficiency is observed to overcome Mg deficiency apply Magnesium sulphate@5gm/Ltr, 30-35 days after transplantation and for Calcium deficiency apply Calcium Nitrate@5gm/Ltr, 30-35 days after transplanting.

If hollow and sometimes discolored stems are observed, also curds become brown and leaves may get roll and curl it is due to Boron deficiency, apply Borax@250gm-400gm/acre.

 

Immediately after transplanting, give first irrigation. Depending upon soil, climatic condition, apply irrigation at interval of 7-8 days in summer season and 10-15days during winter season.

To check weed control apply Fluchloralin (Basalin) 800ml/200Ltr water before transplantation followed by hand weeding 30 to 40days after transplanting. Apply Pendimethalin@1Ltr/acre one day before transplanting of seedlings.

• Pest and their control:

Sucking pest: They suck the sap from the leaves resulting in yellowing and drooping of leaves. Thrips results in curling of leaves, leaves become cup shaped or curved upward.

If incidence of sucking pest like Aphid and Jassid is observed take spray of Imidacloprid 17.8SL@60ml/acre using 150 Ltr water. If infestation of Thrips is observed take Spray of Triazophos + Deltamethrin@20 ml or 25% Cypermethrin @5 ml/10 Ltr of water.

Caterpillar: They feed on leaves and damage crop.

Spodoptera infestation mostly observed after rains. If per crop two caterpillars are observed then spray with B.T@10 gm/10 Ltr water in evening time. After that take neem ark@40 gm/Ltr spray. In case of high infestation take spray of Thiodicarb 75WP@40 gm/15 Ltr water. If infestation of leaf eating caterpillars is observed take spray of 60 ml Spinosad 2.5%EC or 100 gm Emamectin Benzoate 5SG/acre/150 Ltr water.

• DIsease and their control:

Wilt: Dropping of entire leaves along with yellowing of crops. Wilting or drying of entire plant is seen. It may be due to root rot. To control wilt cause due to root rot, drench Trichoderma bio fungus@2.5 kg/500 Ltr water, near to roots of plants. Keeping checking crop losses due to fungal diseases. Drench root zone with Ridomil gold@2.5 gm/Ltr water. Give need based irrigation. Avoid flood irrigation.

Downy Mildew. Appearance of purplish-brown spots observed on lower side of leaves along with grayish white mold on leafs underside. Sanitation and crop rotation help in reducing infection. If infestation of downy is observed, it can be controlled by combined spraying of (Metalaxyl + Mancozeb)@2gm per liter. Take three sprays with 10 days interval.

Leaf spot and Blight: If infestation of blight is observed to control take spray of Mancozeb or Copper oxychloride @300gm/150 Ltr along with 20 ml sticker.

Alternaria leaf spot: Remove and burn lower leaves in morning subsequent take spray of tebuconazole 50%+ Trifloxystrobin 25%@120 gm/acre or Mancozeb@2gm/lit or Carbendazim@1gm/lit of water.

After developing proper head harvesting can be done. Carry out harvesting in morning or evening time. After harvesting keep product in cool place.

After harvesting, do sorting and grading depending upon curd size.