Growth and yield performance of cauliflower as influenced by NPK fertilization combinations under Western plain zones of Uttar Pradesh

The present investigation was carried out during 2016–2017 to delineate the best performing combinational doses of NPK on two cauliflower varieties (Pusa Snowball K-1 and Pusa Himjyoti). Four different combinations of NPK kg ha⁻¹, viz. T0 = 0: 0: 0, T1 = 80: 30: 60, T2 = 120: 60: 80 and T3 = 150: 70: 100 NPK with three replications using two-way factorial analysis. Results revealed that NPK application of 120: 60: 80 kg ha⁻¹ was found to be performing better for yield contributing characters of cauliflower var. Pusa Snowball K-1 with maximum plant weight (1.50 kg/plant), net curd weight (659 g/plant), curd diameter (13.33 cm), curd height (10.12 cm), stalk length (3.25 cm) and curd yield per plot (14.29 kg/plot), whereas, treatment T3, when applied on Pusa Snowball K-1 resulted in better growth in terms of plant height (37.16 cm), plant spread (47.23 cm) and number of leaves (14.93). The study also revealed that ascorbic acid as well as β-carotene contents in curds showed a decreasing trend with increasing level of NPK inputs irrespective of variety. Under Western plain zones of Uttar Pradesh better performance of Pusa Snowball K-1 with NPK application of 120: 60: 80 kg ha⁻¹ could be suitable combination for cauliflower cultivation.