3 Review(s)

In cauliflower F1 hybrids have been found advantageous for earliness, high yield, bigger curd size, better curd quality, uniform maturity and disease resistance. Heterosis breeding has been underway at the Division of Vegetable Crops, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi with main emphasis on the exploitation and development of self-incompatible lines. This programme is being pursued at Pantnagar also.At IARI, a large number of test crosses were made using a self-incompatible line as female parent. On the basis of their performance for two years in 1985-86 and 1986-87, the best cross combination cc X Sel. 1-3- 18-19 was put in all India coordinated trial under November maturity group.On the basis of its performance, Pusa Hybrid-2 was identified by the 1992 vegetable workshop held at Hyderabad. It was later on released by the central sub-committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties in 1993 for cultivation in zones II and IV of the country comprising humid Bengal-Assam basin and sub-humid Sutlej-Ganga alluvial plains.Pusa Hybrid-2 is the first F1 hybrid in cauliflower developed in India using self-incompatible lines in November maturity group. Plants of this variety are semi-erect with bluish green upright leaves.Curds are creamy white and compact. Average curd weight is 900 g. Curd to plant ratio is 10% higher in this hybrid because of its very compact curd and less area of leaves. Average curd yield is 150 q/ha. This could never reach the market due to non-availibity of hybrid seed.