Vol. 9, Issue 6, Part K (2025)

The present experiment entitled under “Effect of time of transplanting and spacing on growth of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L) in Saurashtra region” was conducted at Instructional Farm, Jambuvadi, Department of Vegetable science, College of Horticulture, J.A.U., Junagadh, Gujarat, during 2023-24. The experiment was assigned with Randomized Block Design with factorial concept with 16 treatment combinations arising from four time of transplanting (T₁: 2^nd fortnight of October, T₂: 1^st fortnight of November, T₃: 2^nd fortnight of November and T₄: 1^st fortnight of December) and four spacing (S₁: 30 cm x 30 cm, S₂: 45 cm x 30 cm, S₃: 45 cm x 45 cm, S₄: 60 cm x 45 cm) with three replications. The all parameters were significantly influenced due to different time of transplanting. The minimum days taken to head initiation (58.17 days), days taken to head harvesting (70.02 days), maximum plant height 30 DAT (30.12 cm), plant height at harvest (43.93 cm), plant spread (E-W) (85.00 cm), plant spread (N-S) (82.25 cm), number of leaves per plant (16.30), leaf area (317.80 cm²), stem girth (13.80 cm), head diameter (20.36 cm) fresh weight of head (472.75 g) and dry weight of head (92.59 g) were observed with 2^nd fortnight of October transplanting (T₁). The all parameters were significantly influenced due to different spacing. The minimum days taken to head initiation (59.19 days), minimum days taken to head harvesting (71.67 days), maximum plant spread (E-W) (83.24 cm), plant spread (N-S) (80.27 cm), no of leaves per plant (17.10), leaf area (327.59 cm²), stem girth (14.24 cm), head diameter (19.63 cm), fresh weight of head (559.62 g) and dry weight of head (94.37) were observed with spacing 60 cm x 45 cm (S₄). However, in case of maximum plant height 30 DAT (29.45 cm) and plant height at harvest (43.34 cm) were noted with spacing 30 cm x 30 cm (S₁). The interaction effect of transplanting time and plant spacing on the all parameters of broccoli were found to be non significant except fresh weight of head and dry weight of head. Maximum fresh weight of head (651.00 g) and dry weight of head (133.29 g) were recorded with transplanting in the 2^nd fortnight of October at spacing of 60 cm × 45 cm (T₁S₄). Though, highest net return (₹ 3,79,262 per hectare) and BCR (1:4.90) were observed in 2^nd fortnight of October with 45 cm × 30 cm spacing (T₁S₂). So, broccoli should be cultivate on 2^nd fortnight of October with 45 cm × 30 cm spacing for getting maximum net return and higher B:C ratio. Significantly, maximum growth were recorded transplanting on 2^nd fortnight of October. Therefore, it is concluded that, broccoli can be transplanting during 2^nd fortnight of October with 45 cm × 30 cm spacing in Saurashtra region for higher net return.