Influence of Sulphur Dose and Spacing on Quality Attributes and Economics of Knol-Khol (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes L.) Variety Early White Vienna

Knol-khol (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) is a winter season crop and is originated from the coastal countries of Mediterranean region [1]. It is commonly grown in Northern India and also in some parts of Rajasthan. The stem swells and stores edible food material specially starch and sugars. When consumed as raw it gives sweetish taste with slight aroma. The stem develops entirely above ground, which is edible and vary delicate in flavour and texture [2]. Knol-khol is characterized by formation of knob (tuber) which arises from thickening of the stem tissue above the cotyledon. The knob is harvested for human consumption either as raw or cooked. It is also utilized for making salad and pickles. Knol-khol contain protein 1.1 g, calcium 20 mg, iron 0.4 mg, vitamin A 36 IU and other minerals 0.7 mg per 100 g of edible portion. It also contains thiamin, riboflavin, nicotinic acid and ascorbic acid [3]. Sulphur appears to be essential for the formation of chlorophyll and protein in plants and effects the assimilation of carbohydrates [4]. Sulphur also has a number of important functions in plant nutrition. It is required for synthesis of certain amino acids, which are essential component of protein and also help in synthesis of biotin, thiamin, glutathione and co-enzyme-A and formation of chlorophyll and nitrogenase enzyme [5]. The spacing of crop may be varied according to climatic condition, soil fertility and cultivars adaptation to particular region. Under the wider spacing, the plant was more vigorous in terms of leaf size, which might be due to less competition for light, nutrients and moisture as compared' to closer spacing [6]. Among the various cultural practices, proper spacing & application of different dose of fertilizer at appropriate time are of great importance especially for semi-arid conditions of Rajasthan keeping adequate plant population per unit area. Abstract A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of sulphur and spacing on quality attributes and economics of knol-khol (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes L.) at Horticulture Farm, S.K. N. College of Agriculture, Jobner (Jaipur) during Rabi season 2014-15 on loamy sand soil with consisting four levels of each sulphur (0 kg, 20 kg, 40 kg and 60 kg sulphur ha -1 ) and spacing (30x20 cm, 30x30 cm, 45x30 cm and 45x45 cm). The Results revealed that application of 60 kg sulphur ha -1 to the knol-khol crop significantly increased the sulphur content in knob, protein content (%), ascorbic acid content in knob (mg/100g), net returns and B: C ratio as compared to control and 20 kg sulphur ha -1 but statistically at par with 40 kg sulphur ha -1 . The level of spacing 45x45 cm significantly increased the sulphur content in knob, protein content (%) and ascorbic acid content in knob (mg/100g) as compared to 30x20 cm spacing and 30x30 cm spacing, but statistically at par with 45x30 cm spacing. The net returns and B:C ratio were found significantly maximum at 30x30 cm spacing as compared to 45x45 cm and 30x20 cm spacing which was found statistically at par with 45x30 cm spacing. The combined application of 40 kg sulphur ha -1