Suitable Varieties of Cauliflower as Second Cropping after Harvesting of Rice in Mazandaran Province

This experiment was conducted in order to optimize the use of paddy fields as second cropping in the Mazandaran province. Study planed with 8 new cultivars and carried out in randomized complete block design with four replications during two years 2006 and 2007 in Dashte-naz Agricultural Research Station of Sari. Nursery prepared in the September and seedlings were transferred to the field in the October. Analysis of variance showed high significant variations (P>0.01) in yield of different treatments. Results indicated that Memphis and Spiis Star cultivars with growth duration of 130 and 120 days had the highest yield about 30 and 28 ton ha-1 respectively. Arizona was the earliest mature cultivar with having growth duration about 100 days and 22 ton/ha yield. Cauliflower crops have been good potential for 3 to 5 months period and recommended to paddy fields in Mazandaran. The results show that cauliflower cultivation is possible in paddy fields after rice harvesting and there are sufficient opportunities to land preparations for consecutive rice crop. This type of cultivation in addition to providing income for farmers during fall and winter might increase cultivated lands in the province.