Yield performance of four cauliflower (Brassica oleraceae L.) varieties under open field conditions in Seychelles

Abstract

A field experiment was used, from March to September 2005 and 2006, to evaluate the yield performance of three cauliflower (Brassica oleraceae L.) varieties, ‘Amazing’, ‘Clima’ and ‘Rami’, against the commonly grown variety ‘Tropical Extra Early’ under open field conditions at the Vegetable Evaluation and Research Station Farm at Anse Boileau, Seychelles. The experiment consisted of four treatments laid out in a randomized complete block design with five replications. The results showed that while ‘Tropical Extra Early’ was the earliest to mature, the highest curd length and curd width were produced by ‘Rami’. Similarly, ‘Rami’ produced the largest curd circumference, largest curd weight, and best yield. ‘Rami’ significantly improved yield at P = 0.05 by 32.2 and 30.0 per cent in 2005 and 2006 respectively, compared to that recorded for the regular variety ‘Tropical Extra Early’. ‘Rami’ could, therefore, be considered as a potential replacement for the common variety ‘Tropical Extra Early’.