Introduction and evaluation of new exotic vegetable crops under protected conditions in high altitude of Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

The attempts were made to introduce and evaluate the performance of selected exotic vegetable cultivars such as Chinese cabbage (pak choi and pe-tsai), lettuce (iceberg and loose leaf), celery, Swiss chard, red cabbage, and broccoli under protected conditions during winter season of 2019 at Defence Research Laboratory Research and Development Centre Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh). The commercial cultivars of these vegetables were evaluated based on the growth parameters, yield performance and price advantage under protected conditions. In general, these exotic crops and their respective cultivars performed satisfactorily in terms of yield per unit area. However, the cv. Choko of Chinese cabbage (pak choi), cv. Spring Sun 60 of Chinese cabbage (pe-tsai), cv. Green Rapid of lettuce (loose leaf type), cv. Bright yellow of Swiss Chard, cv. Super Red of red cabbage and cv. Green Magic of broccoli were found superior in terms of yield as compared to their respective cultivars under study. Although, the yield advantage of selected exotic vegetables, except celery and Chinese cabbage (pak choi), over their respective control crops was little lower side, the price advantage of these crops was found quite high which could bring lucrative returns and proved them as high value and remunerative vegetables over conventional crops. Therefore, these vegetables and their superior cultivars can be recommended for the commercial cultivation under protected conditions in high altitude areas of Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh).