Effect of Application of Nitrogen and Boron to Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) in the Soil of Rampur, Chitwan

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan, Nepal from Nov 2017 to March 2018 to study the effects of Nitrogen and Boron on the nutrient uptake by the plant, soil properties, and biological yield of cauliflower (variety Indham-9803). Randomized complete block design with four replications and nine treatment combinations, including three doses of boron (1.7, 1.1, and 0.5 Kg/ha) and three doses of Nitrogen (260, 200, and 140 Kg/ha) were used in the trial. In the case of Nitrogen application, biological yield, soil organic matter, soil nitrogen, and leaf boron were recorded maximum from nitrogen dose N1, and those parameters were recorded minimum from nitrogen dose N3. Meanwhile, leaf boron and soil boron were recorded maximum from the individual doses of nitrogen N3 and N2 respectively and those parameters were recorded minimum from nitrogen dose N3. Increasing nitrogen dose to N1 significantly decreased the soil pH, while bulk density showed no significant changes with the application of nitrogen. In the case of boron application, biological yield, soil nitrogen, leaf nitrogen, soil boron, and leaf boron were recorded maximum from boron dose B1 and those parameters were recorded minimum from B3. Soil pH, Bulk density, and soil organic matter showed no significant changes with the application of boron. In the case of combined effect, maximum leaf nitrogen and soil boron was recorded from treatment T3:- N2B1. Therefore, relevant management of nitrogen fertilizers in the soil in combination with boron is crucial.