Bhupinder Thakur
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Agrotechnol
The varieties Pusa Himjyoti (early), PSB K -1 (late) and popular hybrids Swati (mid), NS 106 (mid late) were planted at different altitudes (1090m a msl, 1350m a msl and 1650m a msl) at different planting dates for two consecutive years during 2009-10 and 2010-11 to find out the effect of varying temperatures on curd yield in each maturity group for year round production of cauliflower under the mid hills of Himachal Pradesh. Cauliflower curds irrespective of maturity group took more time to maturity at lower temperature regimes at higher elevations as compared to the high temperature regimes at lower elevations for every planting time. The varieties in different maturity groups varied in their performance for curd yield as per the maturity group and temperature regime it was found that early maturing varieties gave high yield under high temperature regimes at the lower altitudes whereas mid, mid late and late maturing varieties gave high yield under the mild temperatures at all the locations. The best production cycle for year round production of cauliflower in the mid hills was therefore found to be June-July (early group); October (late group); followed by February planting of mid or mid late group varieties which can fetch higher returns to the growers besides ensuring best quality curd supply to the markets.
Bhupinder Thakur has completed his Ph.D. at the age of 28 years from Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India. He is Senior Scientist (Vegetable Science), at Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Regional Horticultural Research Station, Bajaura, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. He has published more than 20 papers in reputed journals.