Qualitative and Quantitative Aspects of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck.) Influenced by Plant Spacing and Varieties

Optimum plant spacing and availability of suitable high yielding cultivars may help the farmers to achieve more returns per unit area by efficient absorption of nutrients and trapping of solar energy. The effect of growing different varieties at various spacing under south Gujarat condition is not tested. Keeping this in view, the present investigation was planned to study during Rabi, 2019-20 at Vegetable Research Farm, Regional Horticultural Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India. There were nine treatment combinations comprising three levels of plant spacings i.e. S1: 30 cm × 30 cm, S2: 45 cm × 30 cm and S3: 45 cm × 45 cm as well as three varieties i.e. V1: Pusa KTS 1, V2: Palam Samridhi and V3: Ganesh Broccoli in a Randomized Block Design (Factorial) with three replications. The results of the study inferred that, maximum values for growth, yield and quality parameters were observed at wider spacing of 45 cm × 45 cm while maximum yield was obtained from closer spacing of 30 cm × 30 cm. Among the all varieties Palam Samridhi performed best and recorded highest values for growth, yield and quality parameters. Variety Palam Samridhi at closer spacing of 30 cm × 30 cm found best for securing higher yield (13.86 t ha-1) and higher BCR (1.91) ratio of broccoli.