Standardization of planting time and spacing in broccoli cv Green Head for lower hills of Northern India

The 45 days old healthy seedlings of broccoli cv Green Head were transplanted on four planting times at ten days interval viz P1: 5 Oct, P2: 15 Oct, P3: 25 Oct and P4: 5 Nov at three spacings viz S1: 60 x 30 cm, S2: 60 x 45 cm and S3: 60 x 60 cm during two consecutive Rabi seasons of 2005–06 and 2006–07 at the experimental farm of Regional Horticultural and Forestry Research Station, Bhota, District Hamirpur, HP in a Randomized Block Design with three replications in the plots of size 3.00 x 1.80 m. The recommended doses of manures and fertilizers and all agronomic practices were adopted for raising a healthy and normal crop. The data on gross yield (q/ha), yield per plant (g), primary head weight (g), secondary head weight (g), secondary heads per plant (number), plant height (cm) and days to head initiation, maturity and harvest duration were recorded. Significant differences were observed for all the traits studied except days to head initiation, maturity and harvest duration during both the years. The broccoli seedlings transplanted during the first fortnight of October at a spacing of 60 x 60 cm produced maximum gross yield. The delayed planting markedly reduced the yield whereas days to head initiation, maturity and harvest duration were least influenced by the planting time and spacing.