Response of Cauliflower (Brassica oleraceae var. botrytis L.) to Different Levels of Boron under Maize Based Cropping System

Abstract

To assess the effect of Boron (B) application on cauliflower, we conducted a greenhouse pot experiment that consisted of soil application of five levels of nutrient i) no input of fertilizers, ii) N:P₂O₅:K₂O at the rate of 200, 28.6, and 80 kg ha^-1 respectively (recommended dose of NPK),iii) recommended dose of NPK plus 1.1 kg ha^-1 B, iv) recommended dose of NPK plus 2.2 kg ha^-1 B, and v) recommended dose of NPK plus 4.4 kg ha^-1 B. Total plant biomass was 106 gplant^-1 at 4.4 kg B ha^-1 compared to 79 g plant^-1 at the control of no nutrient inputs. Relative to the control treatment, there was a two-fold increase in fresh curd yield at 1.1 Kg B ha^-1 application. Boron application improved the shoot B content as well as its partitioning towards curd and was associated with higher B concentration in the curd. While the soil residual B was 0.26 mg Kg^-1 when no B was applied, it was 0.3 mg Kg^-1 at 4.4 Kg B ha^-1 application. It is concluded that soil B application tends to improve the yield and quality of cauliflower cultivated at the upland maize based system in mid-hill areas of Nepal.