Physiological Disorders of Cauliflower

Physiological Disorders commonly seen in Cauliflower

1. Browning:

Sometimes there is a appeareance of water soaked lesions in the steam, leaf and on the surface of the curd which later become rusty and brown in color. This symptoms is mainly observed when there is a deficiency of boron in plant or in soil. To get rid out of this, soil application of Borax @ 10-15 kg/ hectare is recommended. This dose of fertilizer may differ from country to country, type of soil, time of application,methods of application & various other factors. If there is acute deficiency, spraying of Borax solution @0.25% to 0.5% is generally recommended. This means 2.5 to 5 gram of borax fertilizer on 1 liter of pure water. Spraying of fertilizer should be done at the time of early morning or at the time  of evening.

fig: Symptoms of Browning

Fig: Symptoms observed on browning of caulifllower

Fig: generally available Borax Fertilizer on Market
(10.5%)

fig: Whiptail 

2. Whiptail

This disorder is caued due to the deficiency of Molybdenum. Young cauliflower plants become chlorotic in nature and may turn white, particularly along the leaf margins, leaves also become cupped and wither. Whiptail develops with high nitrate supply and low molybdenum. So in acidic soil, heavy application of nitrogenous fertilizers should be avoided. Application of 1.5 kg sodium or ammonium molybdate per hectare is recommended mixed with fertilizers or irrigation water when the plants are set in the field. Spraying the crop with 0.1% ammonium molybdate can also be done.

3. Buttoning

fig: Buttoning 

Buttoning is generally known as the development of small curds with inadequate foliage in cauliflower. It is also referred as premature heading. The causes of buttoning are transplanting over-aged seedlings, poor nitrogen supply, and wrong selection of cultivars which means transplantation of early season variety on late season and vice-versa. Maintenance of adequate supply of nutrients and good plant population checks the disorders.

4. Ricyness

fig: riceyness

In this disorder velvety or granular appearance on the surface of the curd is seen. Due to higher or lower temperature than the optimum temperature required for a particular variety, temperature fluctuation at the time of curd development, poor seed stock generally causes ricyness. Selection of proper variety and transplanting at right time controls this malady.

5. Hollow stem:

fig: Hollow stem

Hollowness is caused by boron deficiency and higher supply of nitrogen. It can be controlled by spraying of borax @ 15-20 kg/ha. in normal types of hollowness, spacing the plants in closer is suggested.

6. Fuzziness:

fig: Fuzziness

The flower pedicels becomes velvety and curd elongates. The cultivation of the cultivars out of their normal growing season encourages this disorder. Sowing of good quality of seed in right times under proper cultural practices minimizes the fuzziness.