Effect of Plant spacing and cultivar on quality attributes in sprouting broccoli

The effects of plant spacing on broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck) commercial characteristics are well determined such as yield, growth and quality parameter. However, it is not completely clear how the broccoli plant respond to changes in quality traits as a result of different plant densities. According to recent field tests, wider spacing contributes towards larger and heavier heads while, yield per hectare can be increased by close spacing. Hence, it is necessary to optimize proper plant spacing for obtaining higher yield with better quality. The study evaluated effects of the plant spacing S₁ (60×45 cm), S₂ (45×45 cm) and S₃ (45×30 cm) on ascorbic acid, total soluble solid, total sugar, reducing sugar and non-reducing sugar contents of sprouting broccoli (Brassica oleracea L var. italica Plenck). cvs. Palam Samridhi (V₁), Palam Vichitra (V₂) and Palam Kanchan (V₃). The cv. Palam Kanchan had the highest ascorbic acid (78.64 mg/100 g), ‘Palam Vichitra’ had the highest total soluble solids (11.21%), total (4.084%) and reducing sugar (5.62%) content was highest in ‘Palam Samridhi’. Plant spacing of 60×45 cm had the highest total soluble solids (11.15%), total sugar (4.058%) and reducing sugar (5.02%), maximum ascorbic acid (78.35 mg/100 g) content for spacing 45×30 cm. The interaction effect of variety and spacings affected all but non-reducing sugar content, maximum ascorbic acid content was recorded for the interaction of the Palam Kanchan (V₃) and S₃ (45×30 cm) was found (82.28 mg/100 g) while maximum total soluble solids (11.38%), total sugar (4.38%), reducing sugar (6.73%) and non-reducing sugar (0.8%) content was recorded for the treatment combination V₃ S₁. This study aimed to determine the effect of plant spacing on the quality parameter of sprouting broccolis. Increasing the area per plant resulted in a shortening of the time to the beginning of head formation, technical maturity; harvest and increased content of various quality attributes such as ascorbic acid, total sugar and reducing sugar content in spear than close planting.