Interactive Effects of Nitrogen Levels and Plant Spacing on Growth and Yield of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) in the Balaghat Region of Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

Under the agroclimatic conditions of Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, a field experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of varying nitrogen levels and plant spacing on cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) growth, production and quality. Three nitrogen levels (100, 200, and 300 kg ha⁻¹) and three spacing levels (45 × 45 cm, 60 × 45 cm, and 60 × 60 cm) were set up in a factorial combination for the experiment. The findings showed that vegetative growth indices such as plant height, number of leaves per plant and plant spread were greatly improved by raising nitrogen levels. The interplay of nitrogen levels and spacing also had a substantial impact on yield parameters, such as curd weight and diameter. After applying 300 kg of nitrogen ha⁻¹ at 60 × 60 cm intervals, the maximum curd diameter (24.11 cm), curd weight (577.65 g) and total soluble solids (7.2 °Brix) were measured. Higher nitrogen levels and wider spacing boosted nutrient absorption and decreased interplant competition, increasing cauliflower output. Therefore, it was discovered that the best way to maximize cauliflower production and quality in Balaghat conditions was to apply 300 kg nitrogen ha⁻¹ with 60 × 60 cm spacing.