Abstract

Cauliflower grown in hot and dry summer conditions is susceptible to a Ca and water-related physiological disorder known as tipburn. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of several cultural practices influencing plant water relations on cauliflower yield, stomatal conductance and tipburn occurrence. `Snow Crown' seed was sown in field seedbeds on 21 Apr 1992 and seedlings transplanted to the production field on 10 June 1992. The experimental design was a split-plot with 4 replications. Main factor treatments were: a hygroscopic polymer, AquaMend, applied at 33.6 kg/ha in bands and rototilled before transplanting, night misting of plants beginning at head formation, and night covering of plants with a plastic tent, and a non-treated control. Plants in sub-plots were irrigated to field capacity when soil matric potential (SMP) reached a minima of -20, -50, or -80 kPa. Occurrence and severity of tipburn was rated as well as stomatal conductance. Marketable yields without wrapper leaves were measured on 2 harvest dates. Neither tipburn nor stomatal conductance were significantly effected by treatment although stomatal conductance showed a tendency to increase with decreasing SMP values Decreasing SMP also significantly increased yields, which is consistent with the simultaneous increase in stomatal conductance, and probably associated with the excessive rainfall and frequent flooding in 1992. The use of Aquamend significantly increased yield and head weight as SMP decrease. Among the cultural practices. Aquamend produced the greatest and tents the lowest yields. The use of Aquamend shows potential for increasing yields and decreasing irrigation requirements in cauliflower production in sandy soils.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call