Archives of Current Research International

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth and quality response of four knol khol varieties to three transplanting dates under the semi-arid conditions of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The experiment included four varieties: Pusa Virat, Palam Tender Knob, White Vienna and Early White Vienna. The transplanting dates were 20 October, 30 October and 10 November. The trial was laid out in a factorial randomised block design with three replications. Growth, phenological and quality observations were recorded using standard procedures, and the data were analysed through analysis of variance. Variety and transplanting date significantly influenced vegetative growth, earliness and quality traits. Among the varieties, White Vienna recorded the highest plant height (47.54 cm), number of leaves per plant (18.09), fresh plant weight (682.04 g) and dry plant weight (66.89 g). Early White Vienna was earliest for 50% knob initiation (35.39 days) and knob harvesting (56.10 days). Among transplanting dates, 30 October produced superior growth and quality performance, with higher plant height (43.01 cm), number of leaves (16.34), fresh plant weight (533.25 g), dry plant weight (53.88 g), ascorbic acid content (42.72 mg/100 g) and total soluble solids (6.96 °Brix). The interaction of White Vienna with 30 October transplanting recorded the highest values for plant height, leaves per plant, fresh weight, dry weight, ascorbic acid and total soluble solids. The findings indicate that transplanting on 30 October, particularly with White Vienna, improved growth and quality attributes under the tested semi-arid conditions.