Influence of liming levels, transplanting dates and genotypes on yield and profitability of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var italica)

The field experiment was conducted during 2022-23 and 2023-24 at Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, India, to assess the response of lime (10 t/ha, 1/10th LR and no lime application), transplanting dates (2nd fortnight of September, 1st fortnight of October and 2nd fortnight of October) and genotypes (DPB-1 and Palam Samridhi) of broccoli. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design and each treatment replicated thrice. The application of lime @ 10 t/ha recorded higher marketable head and spears yield (159.58 q/ha and 91.86 q/ha), respectively. The mean increase of head yield was 31.05% over 1/10th LR and 41.62% over no lime application treatment, with highest gross returns and net returns (₹ 7.54 and ₹ 4.90 lakhs/ha). The second transplanting (first fortnight of October) resulted in maximum marketable head and spears yield. There were 9.09 and 54.75 per cent increase in mean head yield on pooled basis in T2 over T1 and T3. Also, superior performance for economic returns were recorded with 13.41 and 49.07 per cent increase in mean net returns on pooled basis in T2 over T1 and T3. Among the genotypes, DPB-1 significantly superseded variety Palam Samridhi for yield (3.92 per cent higher than variety, Palam Samridhi on pooled year basis) and also provided higher gross returns (₹6.51 lakhs/ha), net returns (₹4.84 lakhs/ha) and benefit cost ratio (3.33 B:C). The interactions effect revealed that lime application @ 10 t/ha following either the transplanting of broccoli genotypes in first fortnight of October would be a better preposition for enhancing productivity and net returns under north-western Himalayan condition.