Effects of Irrigation, Nitrogen Fertilization and Soil Type on Yield and Quality of Cauliflower

Yield responses of cauliflower (Brassica oleraceaL. var. Botrytis) to different water and nitrogen levels in a Mediterranean coastal area

“…There was considerable reduction in cauliflower curd yield and AGB from Kcp 1.0 to Kcp 0 deficit irrigation levels, particularly in Kcp 0 (Table VI). As reported earlier by Kaniszewski and Rumpel (1998), the lowest AGB and curd weight was obtained on the non-irrigated treatment. Westarp et al (2004) reported that the crop residue (all leaf plus stem weight) was either significantly reduced or showed a trend towards lower production under the lower volumetric water content of deficit irrigation regime.…”

Effect of nitrogen levels and sources on production of Swiss Chard (Beta vulgarisvar.Cicla)

“…The nitrate content of lettuce was found to be the highest where calcium nitrate was used as a nitrogen source followed by urea and then ammonium sulphate (Abu-Rayyan et al, 2004). The nitrate content of cauliflower curds was also significantly lower where urea was applied as nitrogen source compared to ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate and calcium nitrate (Kaniszewski & Rumpel, 1998). Turan and Sevimli (2005) reported that potassium nitrate and ammonium nitrate increased the nitrate content of cabbage much more than ammonium sulphate and urea which correspond with results of this study.…”

Cauliflower Plant Organ Water Status and Nitrogen Translocation From Leaf–Stem Sources to Head Sinks in Its Three Hybrid Cultivars

“…However, cauliflower plants are more sensitive to growing conditions than other Brassica vegetable crops (Gardner and Roth, 1990;Rather et al, 2000;Rosen et al, 1987). Cauliflower plants demand a particular water and nutrient regime to achieve their exceptionally high nutritional levels and fresh visual appearance (Kaniszewski and Rumpel, 1998;McGrady, 1997). Cauliflower plants could fail to form desirable heads under high temperatures (>20 • C) and inadequate nutrition and water conditions, as demonstrated in other Brassica crops such as broccoli (Bjorkman and Pearson, 1998;Li et al, 2009;Rosa et al, 2002;Rosen et al, 1987;Wurr et al, 1995).…”

“…High irradiance and temperatures can reduce N accumulation in plant tissue and any change in plant or organ water content can also modify nitrate concentrations in plants (Cardenas-Navarro et al, 1999;Li et al, 2002). Cauliflower tipburn was associated with unbalanced leaf nutrient distribution (Rosen et al, 1987), and soil water tension increased N accumulation in cauliflower leaves and curds (Kaniszewski and Rumpel, 1998). Cauliflower fertilizer N recovery varies between 25% and 80% in whole plant and 10% to 25% in edible heads (Everaarts, 2000;Gardner and Roth, 1990), and plant N accumulation is correlated with its organ water holding (Cardenas-Navarro et al, 1999;Li et al, 2002Li et al, , 2011.…”

“…This N metabolism process stimulates both continuous assimilation of external nitrate and plant photosynthetic processes for crop development (Gastal and Lemaire, 2002;Lawlor, 2002). Cauliflower production often calls for large inputs of fertilizer N to maximize yields (Kaniszewski and Rumpel, 1998;McGrady, 1997). It is thought that insufficient N inflow could result in cauliflower yield loss and poor crop quality (e.g., heads of undesirable shape), causing marketability downgrading (Gardner and Roth, 1990;Kage et al, 2003).…”