Organic Cauliflower Cultivation, Growing Procedure

Organic Cauliflower Cultivation, Growing Procedure

 Introduction to an organic Cauliflower cultivation

Cauliflower is one of the important winter vegetables grow in India. Cauliflower is a cool-season crop and grows best in well-draining, organic soil at a pH level of 6.5 or above. A high amount of organic matter in the soil will help to hold moisture and the plant requires consistent cool temperatures. Organic Cauliflower is a fantastic source of vitamin C and fiber. Organic Cauliflower is preferred for superior taste and health benefits.

Soil components such as minerals, air, water, and organisms vary depending on the geography and climate. The challenge for farms is to maintain a healthy soil with adequate levels of organic matter. Organic matter in the soil part is responsible for these factors. Organisms are separated by organic matter from the soil, forming humus. Humus, on the other hand, provides nutrients to plants and sustainable soil management maintains soil health and productive care for and enhances soil biodiversity. Organic sources of additional nitrogen such as guano, liquid fertilizer, fish emulsion, blood meal, cottonseed meal, alfalfa meal and should be used as soon as the plants are strong enough usually by 6 inches in length to resist the use of side wear.

Preparing the site for organic Cauliflower cultivation

Prepare your soil well for Cauliflower crops.  Mix a well-rotted compost and dry organic fertilizer in the soil when you prepare beds. Mix dry fertilizer of 1 part blood meal, 2 parts bone meal and 1/2 part greensand or azomite, or just use a complete organic fertilizer for vegetables.

Raise seedlings in nursery beds or plastic trays. Treat seeds with asafoetida by 5mg/L of water and then sow in well-composted nursery beds or trays. Raise nursery beds about 0.8 m wide, 15 cm high, and of convenient length. Add 50 kg good quality compost with about 1 kg neem cake which has been previously soaked in 2 liters of water, and 100 gms of Trichoderma. Moisten and set aside for about 3 days. Then fill trays with this mixture and then place seeds on it. After sowing drench with 3 % Trichoderma or Pseudomonas solution. Repeat spray at 15 days to prevent post-emergence damping off. Water seedlings regularly both before and after germination as water stress checks plant growth. Withhold watering 2 to 4 days before transplanting to harden seedlings. Prepare ridges and furrows in the main field along with the recommended manure dose.

When and where you should grow Cauliflower

When choosing the perfect spot for Cauliflower crop, remember that this is an especially temperature- and moisture-sensitive vegetable. Cauliflower requires full sun for at least 6 hours each day. However, it must not get too hot. At the same time, extended periods of cold will negatively affect the growth of the Cauliflower curds. Cauliflower crops that are exposed to temperatures over 26°C generally struggle with growth and have undesirable texture.

Seed rate and seed treatment in organic Cauliflower cultivation

The seed rate of Cauliflower will be 200-500g/hectare are required. About 1 gm seed gives about 100 seedlings. Seedlings are ready for transplanting in 4 to 6 weeks from sowing. Treat seeds first with Trichoderma 4gm/Kg of seeds the night before planting and dry in shade.

The seed sowing procedure in organic Cauliflower cultivation

Sow the seeds in protrays by 1 seed per cell. Cover the seeds with coco peat, keep the tray one over the other and cover with polythene sheet for 5 days or till germination starts. After 5 days when the Cauliflower seeds are germinated, arrange the protrays on the raised beds inside the shade net nursery. Water the tray by rose can everyday (twice / day) and drench with 19:19:19 + MN (manganese) by 0.5 % solution using rose can or spray micronutrient at 0.5 % 18 days after sowing. The Cauliflower seedlings are ready for transplanting in 25 days.

Cauliflower plant spacing

Growers plant Cauliflowers in single or twin rows. For single rows, they keep 20 to 40cm distance between plants on the row and 40 to 90cm distance between rows. For twin rows, they keep 1metre distance between one couple of rows from another and 30 cm between individuals in a couple of plants. Plants are placed again in distances of 20-40 cm on the rows.

Water Management for an organic Cauliflower cultivation

First irrigation is given just after transplanting and further irrigation will depend upon weather, soil type, and variety. Though, regular maintenance of optimum moisture supply is essential during both growth and curd development stage. In areas having rainfall, the planting is done on ridges, furrow irrigation must be given.

Control          

• Use of natural enemies such as Cotesia plutella and Diadegma semiclausum that can be released repeatedly and allowed to establish. They are larval parasites of DBM (diamondback moth).
• Use of NSKE (Neem Seed Kernal Extract) sprays by 3-5ml per liter of water is also effective against DBM at weekly intervals.
• Trap cropping with Mustard and Marigold. One row of mustard for every 15 rows of Cauliflower
• Spray BT var kurstaki by 200 ml per liter per hectare at 12-15 day interval based on pest population levels