EFFECT OF NPK AND SULPHUR ON YIELD, YIELD ATTRIBUTES AND ECONOMICS OF CAULIFLOWER (BRASSICA OLERACEA

A field experiment was conducted at Horticulture Farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner (Jaipur) during Rabi season 2015-16. The experiment consisting four levels of NPK (0, 75, 100 and 125% RD of NPK) and four doses of sulphur (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg su ha) with total 16 treatment combinations were tested in randomized block design with three replications. Results revealed that application of 125 per cent recommended dose of NPK and sulphur doses @ 60 kg ha to the cauliflower crop significantly average weight of curd (g), total curd yield (kg plot and q ha returns (Rs) and B:C ratio as compared to control, 75 per cent recommended dose of NPK and 20 kg sulphur ha but statistically at par with 100 per c with 40 kg sulphur ha. The combined application of 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK with 40 kg sulphur ha proved to be most superior treatment combination in terms of average weight of curd (g), total yield of curd per plot (kg), total curd yield (q ha returns and B:C ratio because resulting saving of 25 per cent recommended dose of NPK and 20 kg sulphur ha.

A field experiment was conducted at Horticulture Farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner (Jaipur) during Rabi season 2015-16. The experiment consisting four levels of NPK (0, 75, 100 and 125% RD of NPK) and four doses of sulphur (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg su ha -1 ) with total 16 treatment combinations were tested in randomized block design with three replications. Results revealed that application of 125 per cent recommended dose of NPK and sulphur doses @ 60 kg ha -1 to the cauliflower crop significantly average weight of curd (g), total curd yield (kg plotand q ha returns (Rs) and B:C ratio as compared to control, 75 per cent recommended dose of NPK and 20 kg sulphur ha -1 but statistically at par with 100 per c with 40 kg sulphur ha -1 . The combined application of 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK with 40 kg sulphur ha -1 proved to be most superior treatment combination in terms of average weight of curd (g), total yield of curd per plot (kg), total curd yield (q ha returns and B:C ratio because resulting saving of 25 per cent recommended dose of NPK and 20 kg sulphur ha -1 . . botryitis L.) is the most popular vegetable crop among cole crops belong to the family It is being grown round the year for its white and tender curd. In India, two separate groups of cauliflower are ndian or tropical types (originated in India) and the annual temperate or European type also known as 'Erfurt' or snowball type. The Indian types form curds at C and the temperate types require a temperature of C for curd formation. The Indian types are resistant to water logging and heat. The typical Indian or Tropical cauliflowers have been developed from the inter-crossing of Cornish type (biennial) with European strains. Tropical types nd strong self-incompatibility. Temperate types have less variability and less or no selfincompatibility. Tropical types do not require of vernalization but requires cold treatment at 10 to 13 o C for 6 weeks.
C for 8-10 weeks. It has small thick stem, bearing whorl of leaves and branched tap root system. The main point develops into shortened shoot system whose apices make up the convex surface of curd. It is used as fried vegetable, dried vegetable, making soup and pickles. In Rajasthan, Cauliflower is grown extensively in the Ajmer, Alwar, Tonk, Sikar, Bundi, Bharatpur, Jaipur and Jodhpur.
Total area of cauliflower in Rajasthan is ha with an annual production of about 36.61 thousand tonnes and productivity about 3.89 MT (Anonymous, 2013). various essential plant nutrients, nitrogen is an essential for plant growth, development and reproduction. Nitrogen is associated with vigorous vegetative growth. It is helpful in large size compact curd development. The proper use of nitrogen improves the curd size, n the chances of buttoning (Markovic and Diurovaka, 1990). Phosphorus is a constituent of nucleic acid, phytin and phosphorus. So, an adequate supply of phosphorus in early stage of plant life is an important in laying down the primordia for the reproductive parts of the cauliflower. It is also an essential constituent of majority of enzymes which are of great important in the transformation of energy in carbohydrate and fat metabolism and also in respiration in plants (Yawalkar et al., 1996). Potassium imparts increased vigour and disease resistance to plant. It also regulates water conduction within the plant cell and water loss from the plant by maintaining the balance between anabolism, respiration and transpiration. Thus reduces better utilization of available water which ultimately help in the formation of protein and chlorophyll and quality (Rutkauskiene and Poderys, 1999). Sulphur is an essential plant nutrient and it stands next to primary nutrient importance. Sulphur plays a vital role in biosynthesis of certain amino acids (cysteine, cystine and methionine) that are essential component of protein and also help in the synthesis

303329, Rajasthan, India
A field experiment was conducted at Horticulture Farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, 16. The experiment consisting four levels of NPK (0, 75, 100 and 125% RD of NPK) and four doses of sulphur (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg sulphur ) with total 16 treatment combinations were tested in randomized block design with three replications. Results revealed that application of 125 per cent recommended dose of to the cauliflower crop significantly increased the and q ha -1 ), volume of curd (CC), net returns (Rs) and B:C ratio as compared to control, 75 per cent recommended dose of NPK but statistically at par with 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK . The combined application of 100 per cent recommended dose of proved to be most superior treatment combination in terms of lot (kg), total curd yield (q ha -1 ) net returns and B:C ratio because resulting saving of 25 per cent recommended dose of NPK Total area of cauliflower in Rajasthan is about 9.42 thousand ha with an annual production of about 36.61 thousand tonnes and productivity about 3.89 MT (Anonymous, 2013). Among ial plant nutrients, nitrogen is an essential for plant growth, development and reproduction. Nitrogen is associated with vigorous vegetative growth. It is helpful in large size compact curd development. The proper use of nitrogen improves the curd size, nutrient value and reduces the chances of buttoning (Markovic and Diurovaka, 1990). Phosphorus is a constituent of nucleic acid, phytin and phosphorus. So, an adequate supply of phosphorus in early stage of plant life is an important in laying down the ordia for the reproductive parts of the cauliflower. It is also an essential constituent of majority of enzymes which are of great important in the transformation of energy in carbohydrate and fat metabolism and also in respiration in ., 1996). Potassium imparts increased vigour and disease resistance to plant. It also regulates water conduction within the plant cell and water loss from the plant by maintaining the balance between anabolism, respiration and transpiration. Thus reduces tendency to wilt and help in better utilization of available water which ultimately help in the formation of protein and chlorophyll and quality (Rutkauskiene and Poderys, 1999). Sulphur is an essential plant nutrient and it stands next to primary nutrients in importance. Sulphur plays a vital role in biosynthesis of certain amino acids (cysteine, cystine and methionine) that are essential component of protein and also help in the synthesis

Research Article
ttribution License, which permits of coenzyme-A and formation of chlorophyll and nitrogenase enzyme. Further, sulphur also provides winter hardiness and drought tolerance, control of insect pests and disease natural growth regulators, thiamin and biotin contain sulphur. Sulphur occurs in glutathione that is important in oxidation reduction reaction (Kanwar, 1976). It is one of the constituents of vitamin B 1 , some volatile oils and amino acids like methinine (21% S). It is involved in various metabolic and enzymatic processes in the plant (Goswami, 1988). The substantial decrease in SO 2 emission to less than 10 kg ha S further intensified S deficiency in plants, because as much as 30 per cent of its total amount can be absorbed from SO the air. The S cycle and its effect on plants are often compared to N (oxidation in soil and reduction in plants). The main difference is that S from organic compounds can be re oxidised to SO 4 -S in plants (Vanek et al., 2001).

Specific climatic condition
The field experiment was conducted at Horticulture farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner, Jaipur during season 2015-16 during October to January. The climate of Jobner is typically semi-arid characterized by extremes of temperature both in summer and winter, low rainfall and moderate relative humidity. The mean daily temperature maximum and minimum during the growing season of cauliflower fluctuated 37.2 0 C and 2.1 0 C, relative humidity ranged from 41 to 67 per cent. The mean value of evaporation from USWB class pan ranged from 1.9 to 5.9 mm. There was a total rainfall of 10.0 mm in Rabi season as against the average rainfall 400 mm. The soil was loamy sand in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction, poor in organic carbon with low available nitrogen, phosphorus and medium in potassium content.

Seed material and preparation of nursery bed
Two raised nursery beds of dimensions of 3 m x 1 m x 0.15 m (Length x Width x Height) were prepared by mixing well rotten FYM in soil @ 15 kg/m 2 . Seeds of cauliflower Synthetic obtained from National Seed Corporation and treated with 0.02 per cent Thiram to save the seedlings from damping off disease. A thin layer of powered leaf mould was used to cover the seeds. Regular watering was done. The seedlings were ready for transplanting in 4-5 weeks.

Experimental design and treatment application
The experiment was comprised of 16 treatment combinations carried out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with four levels of NPK (control, 75, 100 and 125 % RD of NPK) denoted by F 0 , F 1 , F 2 and F 3 and Sulphur (contr 60 kg ha -1 ) denoted by S 0 , S 1 , S 2 and S 3 . The recommended dose of NPK for cauliflower is 120 kg, 80 kg and 80 kg per ha respectively. Full dose of P 2 O 5 , K 2 O and half dose of N in various treatments were applied manually as the basal dose at the time of transplanting. Remaining dose of nitrogen was given as top dressing in two split doses at 30 and 45 days after transplanting. Sulphur was applied as per treat agriculture grade elemental sulphur and was broadcasted uniformly before transplanting and incorporated in the soil.

Economics of treatments
The economics of the treatments is the most important consideration for making any recommendation to the farmers International Journal of Current Advanced Research Vol 6, Issue 05, pp 3950-3953 3951 A and formation of chlorophyll and nitrogenase Further, sulphur also provides winter hardiness and drought tolerance, control of insect pests and disease etc. Two natural growth regulators, thiamin and biotin contain sulphur. Sulphur occurs in glutathione that is important in oxidation on (Kanwar, 1976). It is one of the , some volatile oils and amino acids like methinine (21% S). It is involved in various metabolic and enzymatic processes in the plant (Goswami, 1988). The emission to less than 10 kg ha -1 of S further intensified S deficiency in plants, because as much as 30 per cent of its total amount can be absorbed from SO 2 in the air. The S cycle and its effect on plants are often compared eduction in plants). The main difference is that S from organic compounds can be re-2001).
The field experiment was conducted at Horticulture farm, ege of Agriculture, Jobner, Jaipur during Rabi 16 during October to January. The climate of arid characterized by extremes of temperature both in summer and winter, low rainfall and daily temperature maximum and minimum during the growing season of C, relative humidity ranged from 41 to 67 per cent. The mean value of evaporation from USWB class pan ranged from 1.9 to 5.9 mm. There was season as against the The soil was loamy sand in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction, poor in organic carbon with low available nitrogen, phosphorus and medium in potassium

Seed material and preparation of nursery bed
Two raised nursery beds of dimensions of 3 m x 1 m x 0.15 m (Length x Width x Height) were prepared by mixing well . Seeds of cauliflower cv. Pusa Seed Corporation and to save the seedlings from damping off disease. A thin layer of powered leaf mould was used to cover the seeds. Regular watering was done. The 5 weeks.

rimental design and treatment application
The experiment was comprised of 16 treatment combinations carried out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with four levels of NPK (control, 75, 100 and 125 % RD of NPK) and Sulphur (control, 20, 40 and . The recommended dose of NPK for cauliflower is 120 kg, 80 kg and 80 kg per ha O and half dose of N in various treatments were applied manually as the basal dose at the time of transplanting. Remaining dose of nitrogen was given as top dressing in two split doses at 30 and 45 days after Sulphur was applied as per treatment through agriculture grade elemental sulphur and was broadcasted uniformly before transplanting and incorporated in the soil.
The economics of the treatments is the most important consideration for making any recommendation to the farmers for its wide adoption. For calculating economics, the average treatment yield along with prevailing market rates of the produce and cost of inputs were used. B: C ratio was computed by dividing gross returns with cost of cultivation for each treatment.

Effect of NPKs on yield attributes and yield
The perusal of data presenting in Table 1 shows that the effect of NPK had significant influence on the average weight and volume of curd. The mean maximum average weight of curd (371.68 g) and volume of curd ( F 3 i.e. 125 per cent recommended dose of NPK, which was found to be significantly higher over statistically at par with F 2 i.e. dose of NPK, whereas, minimum volume of curd ( was recorded under F 0 treatment. that total curd yield per plot and ha influenced by various fertility levels. The maximum yield of curd per plot (5.95 kg) and total curd yield ha was recorded under 125 per cent recommended dose of NPK (F 3 ) followed F 2 and F 1 . While minimum curd yield per plot and ha -1 (3.42 kg, 105.60 q ha The maximum yield of curd per plot and ha treatment F 3 was found significantly more over to F but it was statistically at par with F The application of 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK significantly increased the average weight of curd (g), curd yield per plot (kg), curd yield per ha (CC) ( Table 2). However 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK (F 2 ) was statistically at par to 125 per cent recommended dose of NPK (F This might be due to the fact that increased NPK levels, helped in the expansion of leaf area and chlorophyll conte which together might have accelerated the photosynthetic rates and in turn increased the supply of carbohydrates to plants. The application of 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK favoured the metabolic and auxin activities in plant and ultimately resulted in increasing curds weight, finally the total yield. However, potassium does not increase the yield of plant but indirectly supported to yield. These results are also in close conformity with the finding of Batel et al. (1997), Everaarst andBoou (2000), Yaldas and Abd el-All and EL-Shabrawy

Effect of NPKs on economics
Data (Table 1) Shows that the application of different fertility levels significantly influenced the net return and B:C ratio of

3953, May 2017
for its wide adoption. For calculating economics, the average treatment yield along with prevailing market rates of the uts were used. B: C ratio was computed by dividing gross returns with cost of cultivation

Effect of NPKs on yield attributes and yield
The perusal of data presenting in Table 1 shows that the effect significant influence on the average weight and volume of curd. The mean maximum average weight of curd (371.68 g) and volume of curd (264.65 CC) was observed in 125 per cent recommended dose of NPK, which was found to be significantly higher over F 0 and F 1 but it was i.e. 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK, whereas, minimum volume of curd (150.77 CC) treatment. In case of yield data reveals that total curd yield per plot and ha -1 was significantly influenced by various fertility levels. The maximum yield of curd per plot (5.95 kg) and total curd yield ha -1 (183.55 q ha -1 ) was recorded under 125 per cent recommended dose of NPK . While minimum curd yield per plot (3.42 kg, 105.60 q ha -1 ) was recorded under control. The maximum yield of curd per plot and ha -1 under the was found significantly more over to F 0 and F 1 but it was statistically at par with F 2 treatment.
The application of 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK significantly increased the average weight of curd (g), curd yield per plot (kg), curd yield per ha -1 and volume of curd 100 per cent recommended dose of ) was statistically at par to 125 per cent recommended dose of NPK (F 3 ) in all the above characters. This might be due to the fact that increased NPK levels, helped in the expansion of leaf area and chlorophyll content which together might have accelerated the photosynthetic rates and in turn increased the supply of carbohydrates to plants. The application of 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK favoured the metabolic and auxin activities in plant and ted in increasing curds weight, volume of curd finally the total yield. However, potassium does not increase the yield of plant but indirectly supported to yield. These results are also in close conformity with the finding of Batel t and Boou (2000), Yaldas et al. (2008) Shabrawy (2013).

Effect of sulphur on yield attributes and yield
A perusal of data given in Table 1 reveals that the application of 40 kg S ha -1 significantly increased yield attributes viz., average weight of curd (g), total curd yield per plot (kg), total curd yield per ha (q) and volume of curd (CC) as compared to control and 20 kg sulphur but remained statistically at par with 60 kg sulphur per ha. The maximum average weight of curd (372.05 g) and volume of curd (266.31 CC) was recorded with 60 kg ha -1 which was statistically at par with 40 kg ha -1 whereas minimum was recorded under control. The critical analysis of data also presented in same Table reveals that the different sulphur doses significantly influenced the curd yield per plot and per ha. The maximum curd yield per plot (5.95 kg) and per ha (105.77 q ha -1 ) was recorded with 60 kg S ha -1 , which was statistically at par with 40 kg S ha -1 . While minimum was recorded under control.
The increase in yield and yield attributes might be due to the important role of sulphur in lowering the pH of saline-alkaline soil resulting in increased availability of many nutrients (Hossan and Olsen, 1966) or might to be the activation of a number of enzymes and also in carbohydrate metabolism (Tandon, 1986) which in turn might have favoured better development of curd and resulted in increased growth and ultimately higher yield. The results are in close conformity with those of Hara et al. (1981), Bijarnia and Dixit (1996), Bhagavatagoudra and Rokhade (2001) and Gautam (2012). The increase in yield attributes was probably due to source and sink relationship. The increase in yield attributes can be attributed to increase the size of source and consequently the enhanced partitioning of photosynthates towards sink. The results revealed that application of 60 kg sulphur ha -1 significantly increased the curd yields ha -1 of cauliflower as compared to control and 20 kg sulphur per ha, which were found statistically at par with 60 kg S ha -1 . These finding corroborates with the findings of Dhar et al. (1999), Jamre et al. (2010) and Talukder et al. (2013).

Effect of sulphur on economics
The data pertaining to economics of cauliflower are presented in Table 1 further showed that the application of different sulphur doses significantly increase the net returns and B:C ratio of cauliflower. The application of 60 kg S ha -1 fetched significantly maximum net returns (291375) and B:C ratio (3.80) to control and S 1 .
While minimum net returns (137554) and B:C ratio (1.84) were recorded in control. The application of 125 per cent recommended dose of NPK and 40 kg sulphur ha -1 resulted maximum net return of Rs. 288879 and 291375 with the benefit cost ratio of 3.68 and 3.80 respectively, which were at par with 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK and 60 kg S ha -1 having net return of Rs. 277677 and 278583 with the benefit cost ratio of 3.61 and 3.66. So the treatment 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK and 40 kg S ha -1 were found to be economically best.

CONCLUSION
On the basis of present investigation, it can be concluded that the combined application of 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK along with sulphur 40 kg ha -1 was found best to harvest a good cauliflower crop with maximum yield (207.56 q ha -1 ), net returns (Rs. 338143 ha -1 ) and B:C ratio (4.39), respectively because resulting saving of 25 per cent recommended dose of NPK and 20 kg sulphur ha -1 . Thus, application of 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK along with sulphur 40 kg ha -1 recommended for cauliflower crop.