Effect of head manipulation techniques and planting distance on seed yield and yield contributing parameters of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)

The present investigation was conducted during Kharif of 2014 and Rabi of 2015 at the experimental farm of Department of Vegetable Science, V.C.S.G. Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry, Ranichauri Campus, Tehri-Garhwal with cabbage cultivar Golden Acre. The experiment was laid out in two factor Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications includes three head manipulation techniques viz., Stump method (T₁), Stump with central core intact method (T₂) and Head intact method (T₃) and four different plantingdistance viz., 60x60cm (S₁), 60x45 cm (S₂), 45x40cm (S₃) and 40x30 cm (S₄). The results of the study revealed significant differences among the treatments, stump method (T₁) exhibited earliest flowering (92.75 DAT), seed maturity (140.56 DAT), maximum number of primary branches per plant (47.12), siliqua per primary branch (65.81), seed yield per plant and per hectare (20.21 g and 9.01q) respectively. Whereas planting distance of 40x30 cm was found promising for days to 50 per cent flowering (102.0 DAT), seed maturity (154.0 DAT) and seed yield per hectare (9.99q). The stump method accompanied with 60x60 cm spacing gave highest seed yield per plant (23.03 g) However, maximum seed yield was realized in stump method along with 40x30 cm planting distance (10.50q/ha).