Performance of biofortified cauliflower varieties Valentena and Carotena under Sonitpur district of Assam

Abstract

Cauliflower is extensively grown in Assam from July onwards in three different seasons including early, mid and late season crop. Farmers are cultivating various hybrid (F1) cultivars including biofortified varieties to increase the yield and income. Every year, several hybrids are being imported in Assam and there needs a varietal trial before being recommend at farmer’s field. Thus a field experiment was carried out by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sonitpur to study the performance of two biofortified cauliflower hybrids under agro-climatic condition of Sonitpur district of Assam, during the year 2022-23 and 2023-24 covering two numbers of villages namely Amolapam and Berajan in four locations. Two biofortified cauliflower hybrids namely Vatentena and Carotena and one white cauliflower hybrid White star (check) were studied for growth and yield attributing characters. The experiment was laid out using randomized block design with four numbers of replications. The results revealed that among the two biofortified cauliflower hybrids, Valentena performes better in terms of growth and yield attributes as compared to Carotena and White cauliflower hybrid White Star. Maximum plant height (86.26 cm), number of leaves per plant (24.56), leaf length (67.77 cm), leaf breadth (32.84 cm) were recorded in cauliflower hybrid Valentena which was followed by cauliflower hybrid White star (79.91 cm, 21.62, 64.15 cm and 24.56 cm) and Carotena (74.32 cm, 14.41, 62.23 cm, 23.31 cm) respectively. In relation to yield parameters and economics of production also, maximum values were recorded in hybrid Valentena in terms of fresh weight of plant (2.25 kg), average curd weight (1.85 kg), total curd yield per hectare (144.26 q/ha), gross return (Rs. 2, 16,660.00), Net return (Rs. 1, 47,370.00) and B: C ratio (3.12) followed by White Star (1.89 kg, Rs. 187500.00, Rs. 123179.00 and 2.91) and Carotena (1.65 kg, Rs. 174990.00, Rs. 107510.00 and 2.59) respectively. The performance of biofortified cauliflower hybrids Valentena and Carotena was convincing to the farmers of the locality and increasing its possibility of horizontal expansion in the district as a nutritionally rich crop.