Standardization of optimum time planting on broccoli production

The effect of sowing date on the growth and yield of broccoli was studied at Horticulture College and Research Institute, Anantharajupet, YSR Kadapa (Dist), Andhra Pradesh, India, during Rabi season of 2013. Four sowing dates were used in this study viz ., 20 th November-2013, 10 th December-2013, 31 st December-2013 and 20 th January-2014 under open field conditions. Significant variations were observed in different growth, yield and quality parameters among the planting dates.The results indicated that significantly higher growth parameters viz ., plant height, number of leaves per plant, stalk stem diameter, leaf length, width, petiole length and higher yield components like curd weight, curd length, curd width, yield per hectare, B:C ratio and higher curd quality components viz ., ascorbic acid content and shelf-life at room temperature and at 4°C were recorded in December 10 t h planting (D 2 ). Minimum days to curd initiation were observed in December 10 th planting, whereas least number of days to harvest was observed in January 20 th planting (D 4 ).