The effect of nitrogen and the method of application on the yield of cauliflower

The effects of nitrogen on cauliflower yields were studied over a period of 3 seasons at several locations. The cultivar used was Fremont in some cases and Plana in others. Different amounts of N fertilizer were applied at planting and were broadcast or band placed. Another treatment consisted of a split application. The number of plants harvested was not consistently influenced by the amount of N or the method of application. N application influenced the size of the marketable curd. At high yields, band placement had no advantage over broadcast application with regard to increasing the yield or reducing the amount of fertilizer supplied. Split application did not increase the yield and sometimes even decreased the yield. The best correlation between yield and N availability was found when the mineral nitrogen (Nmin) in the soil layer 0-60 cm at planting was taken into account. N fertilizer application was optimal when it produced an Nmin value of 224 kg/ha.