Altering microclimate of broccoli crop by adjusting transplanting date, mulching, and irrigation application in mid hill zone of Himachal Pradesh

Field experiments were conducted during the rabi seasons of 2021-22 to evaluate the microclimate of broccoli crops under three dates of transplanting, two mulching, and two irrigation levels at Nauni, Solan the mid-hill-sub humid agroclimatic region of Himachal Pradesh. Soil temperature was maximum during the transplanting stage in timely sown (28^th October) crop and decreased during the heading andharvested stage. Photosynthetically active radiation, relative humidity, soil moisture, and leaf area index from transplanting onwards was recorded higher in the timely sown crop and lower in the late sown crop while in the case of irrigation and mulching levels was higher under optimal irrigation and mulching application. At the heading stage, PAR interception was observed to be statistically highest (5.10) due to a higher leaf area index in the timely sown crop followed by the mid-sowing (4.19) and was lowest (3.03) in the late sown crop. Better crop growth and hence, leaf area index resulted in a higher PAR interception on timely sown with optimal irrigation and mulching level. Similarly, dry matter accumulation had a positive relation with chlorophyll content (R² = 0.55). The higher the dry matter accumulation higher will be the chlorophyll content.