The Ultimate Guide to Cauliflower Cultivation: Varieties & Production

Table of Contents

• Cauliflower Farming in India
• Which are the Popular Cauliflower Varieties in India?
• The Cauliflower Cultivation: Step by Step Process

• • Soil & Climate
  • Nursery Preparation
  • Land Preparation & Planting
  • Irrigation & Fertilizer Management
  • Pest & Disease Management
  • Harvest & Yield

• Top 10 Cauliflower Producing States in India

Cauliflower Farming in India

The term ‘Cauliflower’ comes from two Latin words- ‘Caulis’ means Cabbage, and ‘Floris’ means flower. The scientific name of cauliflower is “Brassica Oleracea”. It is a popular vegetable crop which is used in multiple Indian dishes in the form of curries, soups, pickles, etc. The edible part of cauliflower is known as “curd”. Cauliflower farming in India has a huge scope due to its diverse soil & climate conditions, seasons, and popularity. The cauliflower cultivation is done all over India, but the major states are West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat.

Which are the Popular Cauliflower Varieties in India?

• Ooty 1
• Cuba Giant
• Snowball
• Himani
• Swathi
• Pusa Deepali
• Early Patna
• Pusa Meghna
• Early Kunwar
• Second Early Kunwar

The Cauliflower Cultivation: Step by Step Process

Soil, climate, nursery preparation, planting, irrigation, pest management, etc. are the most crucial steps in cauliflower cultivation. Let’s understand each step in detail.

Soil & Climate

Cauliflower requires well drained sandy loam soil rich in organic matter with a pH ranging between 5.5 and 6.5. It needs cool and moist climate. The temperature ranging from 15°C to 21°C is considered optimum for the growth and curd formation of cauliflower.

Nursery Preparation

The best time for sowing cauliflower seeds is September to February.  For cultivation of cauliflower, 375 g/ha seeds are required. Seeds are sown in raised nursery beds. 100 sq. m nursery area is sufficient for raising one hectare. Apply FYM at 300 kg and 10 kg of No.5 mixture (9:9:9) along with 50 g of Sodium molybdate and 100 g of Borax.

After a specific time, seedlings are transferred into portrays one by one in shade net for further growth. The Protrays of 98 cells are ideal for cauliflower seedling production. Around 600 protrays are required for 28,333 seedlings required for one hectare at a spacing of 60 x 45 x 45 cm in three row planting. About 1.25 kg of cocopeat medium is required for each tray.

Land Preparation & Planting

For the land preparation of cauliflower farming, ploughing the field three or four times to bring the soil to fine tilth is necessary. Make pits at a spacing of 45 cm either way in hills. Form ridges and furrows at 60 cm in plains. Sow the seeds at 10 cm between rows in raised seed beds after drenching it with Copper oxychloride (2.5 g/lit) and transplant 25 days (early varieties), 45 days old seedlings (late varieties) at 45 cm apart.

Irrigation & Fertilizer Management

Irrigation should be done within 7-10 days depending upon the season & soil conditions. Also, install drip irrigation system with main and sub-main and the inline laterals placed at the interval of 1.5 m. Apply FYM or compost at 25 t/ha and fertilizers at 150:100:125 N: P₂O₅:K₂O kg/ha. Apply full dose of P₂O₅ and half dose of N and K₂O before transplanting and rest N and K a month after transplanting.

Pest & Disease Management

The following are the major pests and diseases of cauliflower with their control measures:

• Diamondback Moth: Spray with Malathion (0.1%) to control the larvae from the crop.
• Aphids: Apply phorate 10 % G @ 20 kg /ha or spray neem oil 3 % with 0.5ml teepol/lit.
• Club Root: Seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens at 10 g/ kg of seeds, followed by seedling dip @ 5g/ l and soil application @ 2.5 kg/ha along with 50 kg FYM before planting.
• Stalk Rot: Avoid planting cabbage and other susceptible crops in the field infested with white molds.

Harvest & Yield

Cauliflower is ready to harvest within 90-120 days after planting. Harvest only when the cauliflower curds are grown fully with a white and soft appearance. Delayed harvesting can lead to riceyness in cauliflower. The average yield of cauliflower from early varieties is 6-10 t/ha while the average yield from late varieties is 20-30 t/ha.

Top 10 Cauliflower Producing States in India

According to the National Horticulture Board (NHB), Ministry of Agriculture and Department of Animal Husbandry, the total cauliflower production in India in 2023-24 was 9,794.39 thousand metric tonnes. West Bengal was the largest cauliflower producing state followed by Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, and Orissa. Let’s have a look at the top 10 cauliflower producing states list below: