Studies on the Interaction Effect of Planting Dates and Nitrogen Levels on Yield and Yield Attributing Components and Quality of Red Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra)

Abstract

The present an investigation entitled “Studies on the effect of planting dates and nitrogen levels on growth, yield and quality of red cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra)” was carried out in Rabi/Winter season 2018- 2019 at Mango Research Station, Nuzvid, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh (India) with the objective of studying the interaction effect of planting dates and nitrogen levels on growth, yield and quality of red cabbage besides studying economic returns. Present study included 12 treatments combinations with three levels of planting dates (30th September, 15th and 30th October) and four nitrogen levels (80, 120,160 and 200kg/ha) each replicated thrice in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD). Observations were recorded on yield, yield attributing characters and quality parameters and mean performance studies revealed significant difference in all parameters. The interaction effect of planting dates and nitrogen levels was found significant. The yield contributing characters like head volume (980cc), head length (19.46cm), head compactness (1.40), head weight (709g), head yield per plot (56.67kg), estimated head yield per hectare (438.55q) and dry matter production (12.55%) recorded higher values with recorded with the treatment combination of 15th October planting date and application of 200 kg N/ha (D2N4). It also maintained best quality with maximum anthocyanin content (122mg/100g), ascorbic acid (38.65mg/100g) and TSS (9.06°Brix) recorded. Highest BC ratio (3.82:1) was obtained from the combination of 15th October planting date with 200kg Nitrogen/hector (D2N4). Based on the results obtained in the present investigation, it can be concluded that 15th October planting date combined with application of 200 kg N/ha (D2N4) proved to be best for getting higher growth, yield, quality and economic returns in Red cabbage for coastal Andhra Pradesh.