Research on the Effect of Diferential Organic Fertilization of Cauliflower Hybrids Grown in Open Field

Abstract

Use of manufactured fertilizers has been increasingly incorporated into regular farming practice in EU since its introduction in mid to late nineteenth century. In 2014, mineral fertilizer consumption in EU was 18 million tons. Given intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides, horticulture and vegetable growing are considered to be major contributors to some existing environmental impacts, such as water and soil pollution. Therefore farmers need to be aware and use only necessary amount of fertilizer for good plant development and to obtain high productions and to move from classical fertilization to organic fertilization. Cauliflower is not a pretentious culture but applying fertilizers can have a beneficial effect on production. Experience was carried out in 2016 in Apahida village, near Cluj-Napoca. It followed the effects of differentiated organic fertilization on three cauliflower hybrids: ‘Casper’ F1, ‘Cercy’ F1and ‘Charlot’ F1. Experiment was carried out in open field and was started with seedlings. Experimental factors were: hybrid and number of fertilizations. Each experimental factor had three graduations which combined resulted in a number of nine variants. During vegetation period, growth measurements were made and also the specific technology for autumn grown cauliflower in open field was applied.

Keywords

• cauliflower, hybrid, fertilization, growth measurements, production