Broccoli growth and nutritional status as influenced by doses of nitrogen and boron

Abstract

Proper growth and development of broccoli may be affected by the application of N and B. Accordingly, the objective herein was to verify the effects of N and B application on growth and the nutritional status in the vegetative phase of broccoli. The experimental design was a completely random one in a factorial (4 × 2 +1) scheme, with four doses of B (0.25, 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00 mg dm -3) and two doses of N (200 and 600 mg dm -3), and the check treatment (no B and no N), with four repetitions. The green color index, the accumulation of N and B in the plant aerial part, leaf area, and the aerial part dry matter content were evaluated. The interaction between nitrogen and boron was not important for the green color index, N and B accumulation, leaf area and dry matter production of broccoli in the vegetative phase. However, the isolated effects of nitrogen fertilization and boron doses were beneficial for broccoli development.