Effect of head compactness on seed yield and quality of cabbage cv Pride of India

The 45 days old healthy seedlings of cabbage cv Pride of India were transplanted in mid July at Vegetable Research Station, Kalpa, district Kinnaur, HP and the heads were ready for harvesting during November. Cabbage seed production was done by head to seed method and the true to type heads were classified into five categories viz C1: 0.26–0.30, C2: 0.31–0.35, C3: 0.36–0.40, C4: 0.41–0.45 and C5: 0.46–0.50 on the basis of Z-value of head compactness as per the method of Pearson (1931). After categorization the heads were overwintered in trenches for vernalization from November to March during two consecutive years 2007–08 and 2008–09. The experiment was laid in Randomized Block Design with three replications every year, after melting of snow in the last week of March to first week of April planting done at a spacing of 45x45 cm in plot size of 2.70 x 2.25 m with a population of 30 plants per plot. Significant differences were observed for all the traits studied except days to maturity during both the years. The plants from more compact heads gave more seed yield, number of branches, number of pods, seeds per pod, pod length and height as well as seed quality measured in terms of 1,000 seed weight and germination percentage besides being early in sprouting, flowering and pod formation with low mortality. However days to maturity were not affected by the head compactness. It was concluded that for boosting quantity, quality and early seed production of cabbage more compact heads should be replanted for raising seed crop under dry temperate conditions.