Seedling Growth, Field Performance and Economics of Production of Early Cauliflower as Influenced by Different Sowing Media and Variety under Greenhouse Condition in Assam, India

An experiment was conducted at the greenhouse and in the field of the Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat for two consecutive years (2018 and 2019) to assess the effect of sowing media and variety  on growth of  early cauliflower seedling and subsequent performance of seedling  in the main field. The results revealed that seedlings raised in different sowing media surpassed the conventional sowing media (soil, sand and farm yard manure) for growth attributes and yield. The media M1 i.e., cocopeat (60): vermiculite (20): perlite (20) recorded the highest seedling emergence whereas minimum days to transplanting and maximum leaf area was recorded in M2 i.e., cocopeat (50): vermicompost (50). Minimum days to 2-true leaf emergence was recorded in both M2 and M3 [cocopeat (50): vermicompost (50): microbial consortium@ 1:100] and M3  recorded the highest seedling height in nursery. Minimum days for 2-true leaf emergence was recorded by variety V2 (CFL1522) while highest leaf area was found in V1(White Diamond).  Among interactions, M1V1 recorded maximum emergence, M2V2 recorded minimum number of days for 2-true leaf stage and to transplanting respectively, maximum leaf area in M2V1 and M3V2 produced the tallest seedling. In field, the seedlings that were grown in M3 media in nursery recorded significantly higher value of growth parameters and yield. Variety white Diamond took minimum days for establishment and recorded maximum leaf area index at 30 Days After Transplanting (DAT) as well as at harvest. Though treatment combination, M3V2 recorded the highest curd yield the highest cost benefit ratio was obtained in M3V1 (3.95) and the lowest (2.42) in M1V1. Considering the cost benefit ratio, for producing good quality seedlings of early cauliflower under green house, which will further give best performance in field condition, cocopeat (50): vermicompost (50): microbial consortium (1:100) as sowing media and variety White Diamond can be used in Assam.