CAULIFLOWER BASIC
Introduction

Cauliflower is one of the popular vegetables usually consumed during the winter season in India. India is the largest procedure of cauliflower in the word with share of over 40 per cent. It is followed by China with a share of 20 per cent.

 
Area Of Cultivation

Bihar is the largest producer of cauliflower followed by Orissa, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh (Plains), Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
 
Season

Cauliflower is primarily a winter season crop. The seeds are sown in nursery-beds in May and June for early, and July-August for mid-season cauliflower.

 
Cultivation

In the hills, the seeds are planted at a spacing of 45 cm each way for the early crop. The row-to-row distance is increased to 60 cm for late varieties.

 
Fertilizer and Nutrient Management

For best results, 15 to 20 tonnes of farmyard manure, compost or sludge should be incorporated into the soil about four weeks before transplanting. Sixty kg of nitrogen, 80 kg of phosphorus and 40 kg of potassium per hectare should be applied just before transplanting. A top-dressing of 60 kg of nitrogen, about six weeks after transplanting at the time of earthling-up, is recommended.

 
Water Management

Water must be supplied in ensure continuous growth. An early crop may need irrigation twice a week till the start of the rains. The late crop may be irrigated once a week, depending on the soil and the weather condition.

 
Harvesting

Cauliflower is harvested when the curds attain a proper size and before they begin to `rice' or discolur.