Impact of Boron Application Strategies on Broccoli (Brassica Oleracea Var. italica) Performance and Energy Budgeting in Boron Deficient Acid Soils of Indian Himalayas

ABSTRACT

Broccoli is a nutrient rich export-oriented vegetable. Boron (B) deficiency is one of the most limiting factors for achieving optimum broccoli agronomic productivity in acid soils. Therefore, in the present experiment we assessed the two-year productivity, micronutrients uptake, profitability and energy sustainability of broccoli crop grown on B deficient soils under different B application methods (foliar and soil + foliar), foliar application rates (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3% boric acid), and frequencies of foliar application (2 and 3 sprays of boric acid) along with control (without B application). The study was conducted for 2 years in a fixed-field plot using randomized complete block design with three replications. The results revealed that in comparison to control, the B application significantly enhanced the broccoli head yield and micronutrient uptake with better economic and energy efficiencies. Soil plus foliar B application produced 6.30% higher head yield compared to sole foliar application. The crop yield, economic indices, and energy dynamics were mainly influenced by foliar spray of boric acid at 0.3% applied at 30 & 45 DAT (days after transplanting) and head initiation growth stages. In general, the chemical fertilizers consumed the highest input energy (67.2%) followed by human labor (18.5%). Consequently, soil plus foliar method of B application and three foliar sprays of boric acid at 0.3% will be viable alternative to attain improved crop productivity and maximize the economic and energy efficiencies besides producing nutritionally (micronutrients) rich produce.

KEYWORDS:

• Alfisol
• boric acid
• economic indices
• energy efficiencies
• micronutrient uptake

Acknowledgements

The authors feel privileged to thank the Indian Council of Agricultural Research for funding the All-India Coordinated Research Project on Micro- and Secondary-Nutrients and Pollutant Elements in Soils and Plants at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available with the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Supplementary data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2024.2325479