Seed Yield and Quality of Broccoli as Affected by Different Levels of Nitrogen and Boron, and Main Head Harvesting in Plain Areas of Chitwan.

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted during the winter season of 2011/12 to find out the suitable measures for quality seed production of broccoli cv. Calabrese. The experiment was laid out in three factorial RCBD with three replications. Treatments consisted of four levels of nitrogenous fertilizer viz. 100, 150, 200, 250 kg ha-1 N, two levels of Boron viz. 15 kg ha-1 borax and no borax, two levels of head harvesting viz. head harvest at marketable stage and no head harvest. The results revealed that nitrogen levels, application of boron and head harvest significantly influenced the seed yield of broccoli. The highest seed yield (1296 kg ha-1) was obtained with 200 kg ha-1 N applied along with 15 kg ha-1 borax and main head harvesting. The seed quality parameters like test weight, germination percent and vigor index were also influenced by treatments. Significantly higher test weight was obtained with 200 kg ha-1 N, borax @ 15 kg ha-1 and head harvesting. Similarly, germination percent and vigor index of seed were significantly higher with 150- 200 kg ha-1 N application, borax @ 15 kg ha-1 and harvesting of main head. Comparing these treatments nitrogen 200 kg ha-1 along with borax 15 kg ha-1 and main head harvesting was found superior and economical for seed production of broccoli with BC ratio of 4.79.