EFFECT OF SOWING DATES AND VARIETY ON YIELD OF BROCCOLI UNDER ACIDIC SOIL CONDITION OF SYLHET

Abstract

The present study was conducted at Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet during the winter season of 2013-2014 to study the effect of sowing date and variety on yield of broccoli under acidic soil condition of Sylhet. Seeds of three varieties of broccoli namely Premium, BR001 and BR002 were sown on three different dates viz. October 30. November 15, December 1. Sowing dates showed significant effects on growth and yield of broccoli. Maximum number of leaves, leaf length, leaf breath and plant height were produced by plant sown on October 30.Similarly maximum fresh curd weight. Number of secondary curd and secondary curd weight were obtained from October 30 sowing. All these parameters showed decreasing trend as sowing date was delayed. In the experiment, October 30 sowing give the highest yields of Premium (5.29 t/ha) compared to the lowest yield of BR002 (1.71 t/ha) by December 1. There was significant variation among the varieties in yield and yield component. Variety Premium showed higher yield (7.7 t/ha) and BR002 (1.61 t/ha) showed the lowest yield. Combined effect of sowing dates and varieties showed that sown on October 30, all varieties performed better in respect of yield and yield components. October 30, showed the best sowing date of Broccoli and Premium gave the highest yield. Late sowing produced broccoli of poor quality, as they were deformed in size and overall less acceptability. Among the three varieties Premium yielded the maximum secondary curd per plant (108.42g) BR001 yielded the lowest secondary curd per (47.54g).Among the three sowing time the highest secondary curd yield (141.29g/plant) was found from 30 October sowing date and lowest secondary curd yield (.46g/plant) was found from 1 December sowing date. combined effect of variety and sowing date in secondary curd yield showed that sowing on October 30,Premium produced highest yield (227.19g/plant) and BR001 produced the lowest yield(7.20g/plant). Storage of broccoli under open room temperature and polythene bag in refrigerator were different in term of shelf life. Broccoli curd showed maximum shelf life when stored in refrigerator at 6 0 C (6 days) compared to open room temperature (3 days).