EFFECT OF SOWING TIME AND NITROGEN ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF SOME CULTIVARS OF TURNIP (Brassica rapa L.) UNDER MIDDLE GUJARAT CONDITIONS
Loading...
Date
2003
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AAU, Anand
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted on loamy sand soil of Horticultural Research Farm, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand, to study the effect of sowing time and nitrogen on growth, yield and quality of some cultivars of turnip (Brassica rapa L.) under middle Gujarat conditions during rabi season of the years 1999-00 and 2000-01. Thirty six treatment combinations comprising four sowing dates (20th October, 5th November, 20th November and 5th December) were assigned to main plots, three varieties (Purple Top White Globe, Snowball and Deshi Red) and three levels of nitrogen (50, 75 and 100 kg N/ha) were relegated to sub-plots in split plot design replicated thrice. The results revealed that different date of sowing significantly influenced the growth parameters viz., plant height, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of shoot, length and thickness of root, root: shoot ratio, LAI, LAD, RGR, NAR and LAR during both the years. Similarly, root yield was also influenced significantly with different dates. Sowing on 20th October (Di) produced significantly higher root yield (395.26, 389.34 and 392.29 q/ha), when compared with Da (319,78, 314.48 and 317.13), D3 (261.83, 255.88 and 258.85) and D4 (198.98, 191.67 and 195.32) during both the years and in pooled analysis. The higher yield under Di (20"^ October) was probably due to more favourable mean temperature range between 20.5 to 27.1*^C for growth which became instrumental in boosting up the root yield. Total soluble solids and vitamin - C content were not influenced by sowing date during both the years and in pooled analysis. Total chlorophyll content of leaf and nitrogen content of plant were recorded highest under early sowing (Di) as compared to D2, D3 and D4 during both the years and in pooled analysis. Resuhs pertaining to different varieties viz., Purple Top White Globe, Snowball and Deshi Red revealed that all the growth parameters viz., plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of root and shoot, length and thickness of root, root: shoot ratio LAI, LAD, RGR, NAR and LAR, root yield, vitamin - C and TSS content of root, chlorophyll content of leaf and nitrogen content of plant were also significantly influenced with different varieties. The variety Vi (Purple Top White Globe> proved significantly superior over V2 (Snowball) and V3 (Deshi Red) in terms of root yield (328.19, 322.11 and 325.15 q/ha). Similarly, total soluble solids and vitamin - C content of root were highest under the variety Vi as compared to V2 and V3 during both the years and in pooled analysis as well. Fertilizing turnip with 100 kg N/ha considerably increased all growth parameters viz., plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, thickness and length of root, root: shoot ratio, LAI, LAD, RGR, NAR and LAR during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. Similarly, this level increased root yield of turnip (357.94, 352.03 and 354.98 q/ha) as compared to 75 kg N/ha (N2) and 50 kg N/ha (Ni) during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. Total soluble solids content of root increased with increasing m levels of nitrogen and recorded highest under N3 (100 kg N/ha). On the other hand, vitamin - C content was not much affected by nitrogen during both the years and in pooled analysis as well. Total chlorophyll content of leaf and nitrogen content of plant were also increased with the increasing in levels of nitrogen during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. The interactions viz., SxV, SxN, VxN and S x V x N did not manifest significant effect on growth, yield and quality parameters of turnip during both the years of investigation and in pooled analysis. Thus, the results suggested that for securing the highest root yield, turnip the variety Vj (Purple Top White Globe) should be sown around 20"^ October with 100 kg N/ha under middle Gujarat conditions.
Description
Keywords
HORTICULTURE, AGRICULTURE, A STUDY