Growth responses and yield of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) to the delayed transplanting and drought stress

¹ College of Agriculture, Universitas Sriwijaya. Inderalaya 30662, Indonesia
² Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI), Cibinong 16911, Indonesia
³ Research Center for Sub-optimal Lands (PUR-PLSO), Universitas Sriwijaya, Palembang 30139, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: blakitan60@unsri.ac.id

Abstract

Environmental condition is the main constrain of plant cultivation in riparian wetland. Transplanting time is frequently delayed due to flooding and the cultivated plants often experience drought stress during their generative stage due to insufficient water availability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of delayed transplanting and drought stress on the growth and yield of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea Var. botrytis L.). The study was arranged based on the Factorial Randomized Block Design consisted of two factors, i.e., transplanting time and drought stress. The results showed that extended delay of transplanting for more than 25 days after sowing inhibited the plant growth, i.e., leaf number, canopy area, harvesting time, leaf weight, curd weight, curd volume, curd diameter, fresh and dry weight of roots, and root length. Halted water supply for 5 days during curd development resulted in a devastating drought stress since soil moisture dropped to 8%. The drought stress significantly increased the root length, but this increase was unable to avoid yield reduction. It is suggested that transplanting time of cauliflower at riparian wetland should be carried out prior to 25 days after sowing.