Effect of different micronutrients on plant growth , yield and flower bud quality of broccoli ( Brassica oleracea var . Italica ) cv . Green

Gajendra Singh 1 , S. Sarvanan 1 , Kuldeep Singh Rajawat 1 , Jalam Singh Rathore 1 and * Dr. Bhanwar Lal Jat 2 . 1. Department of Horticulture, Allahabad School of Agriculture, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences Allahabad (U.P) India. 2. Department of Agriculture Biotechnology, Bhagwant University of Ajmer, Rajasthan, India. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History

India is world"s largest producer of vegetables next to China with an annual production around 162.187(Million tonnes) from 92.05 (Million hectare) of land. (Indian Horticulture Database, 2012-2013). This quantity is much less than our requirements and serves capita-1 intake on only 135 g against the recommended requirement of 300 g capita-1 day-1 for balance diet. The vegetable requirement for the country has been estimated 225 million tonnes by 2020. India rank second area and production in cauliflower and Broccoli. World area and production are1.21 million hectare and 20.88 Million tonne and Indian production and area are 6745 thousand tones and 369 thousand hectares. (Vegetable statistics 2013). Exotic vegetables laced with nutritionally important components-vitamins, minerals, fibres, antioxidants and other micronutrients are presently considered one of the most indispensable items in human diet. Our country having diverse climatic conditions and well distinct cropping season, offers a great scope to grow these unconventional vegetables commercially (Pandey and Mathura Rai, 2005). Broccoli probably evolved in Roman times from wild or primitive cultivated forms of (Brassica oleracea) from the Mediterranean region. A remarkable diversity of cauliflower and broccoli-like vegetables developed in Italy. Broccoli is an edible green plant in the cabbage family whose large, flowering head is eaten as a vegetable. The word broccoli comes from the Italian plural of broccolo, which means "the flowering crest of a cabbage", and is the diminutive form of brocco, meaning "small nail" or "sprout". Broccoli is often boiled or steamed but may be eaten raw. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italic) which is one of the exotic vegetable introduced in India of the curciferae family is believed to be the first of the crops to evolve from the wild species of kale or cabbage and was cultivated by Romans. The first selection sprouting Broccoli was probably made in Greece and in the pre-Christian era (Heywood, 1978). Broccoli ISSN: 2320-5407 Int. J. Adv. Res. 4 (9), 2018-2043 2019 commonly known as harigobhi or broccoli in Hindi is gainig popularity in India also. In the world market about 40 percent is marketed as fresh and remaining 60 percent as frozen. It is used salad, cooked in curries, boiled and also processed (Sharma, 2003). The name "Broccoli" refers to the young shoots which develop in spring on some species of the genus Brassica ("brocco" is Italian for shoot) (Bose, 2002). Broccoli is of two types, heading and sprouting, sprouting broccoli is more popular in India. Heading broccoli forms curd like cauliflower, while sprouting broccoli contains a group of green immature bud and thick fleshy flower stalk forming a head. The cultivation was initially restricted to hill areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh but now successfully grown under North Indian plain condition (Nirmal et al. 2004). A Broccoli consists of immature flowering buds which would commonly contain the energy for a plant to fruit it is very high nutrients and often termed as super-food. Broccoli which is nutritious among Cole crops being rich in vitamin and minerals and boiling broccoli reduces the levels of suspected anti-carcinogenic compounds, such as sulforaphane.Broccoli has about 14 times more betacarotene a precursor of vitamin A than commonly cultivated cabbage (Sharma, 2000). It has high amount of vitamin C and significant amount of potassium, folic acid and several phytochemicals. It can also be a good source of calcium and this can be enhanced if the soil is limed. It has anti carcinogenic properties and has been found useful for number of other diseases. Due to its high levels of vitamin C, beta carotene and fibre broccoli is a powerful antioxidant. High fiber content also believed to be of benefit in case of diabetes. It has as much calcium as milk, and is therefore an important source of nutrition for those with osteoporosis or calcium deficiencies. Even though micronutrients are required in minute quantities, they are essential for healthy plant growth & profitable crop production. Micronutrients provide an economical source for correcting nutrient deficiencies & improving plant health. Micronutrients are fully chelated & can be used in both foliar & soil applied applications. Micronutrients, which include boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, and zinc, are required in smaller amounts than the other essential nutrients. Generally, soils contain sufficient levels of micronutrients to meet crop demands; however, in some areas micronutrient shortages occur and may limit yields. Some crops have a higher demand for certain micronutrients than others and should be considered in determining whether a micronutrient fertilizer should be applied. Horticultural crops suffer widely by zinc deficiency followed by boron, manganese, copper, iron (mostly induced) and Mo deficiencies. Cl, Cu, Fe and Mn are involved in various processes related to photosynthesis and Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn are associated with various enzyme systems; Mo is specific for nitrate reductase only. B is the only micronutrient not specifically associated with either photosynthesis or enzyme function, but it is associated with the carbohydrate chemistry and reproductive system of the plant. Manganese is necessary for chlorophyll formation for photosynthesis, respiration, and nitrate assimilation and for the activity of several enzymes. The concentration of manganese in leaves can range widely from 10-15ppm when deficient and in thousands of ppm when it is toxic.Most manganese in soils is precipitated as manganese oxide or hydroxide. The form available to plants is the Mn ++ ion. Manganese availability is related more to soil pH than soil test manganese levels. Manganese recommendations are based on the crop being grown and soil pH. On low pH mineral soils (pH less than 4.8), manganese can be toxic to plants. A few suspected deficiencies have been reported in fruit and vegetable crops grown on alkaline mineral soils. Manganese deficiency problems are most likely to occur on organic soils with a pH greater than 5.8. If crops grown on mineral soils show signs of manganese deficiency or have low tissue manganese levels, a foliar application at the rate of 0.2 lb Mn/A is recommended. Two or three applications are usually required. Apply with 50 to 100 gallons of water per acre. Chelated sources of manganese are recommended for foliar spays. Boron is much required for cell division and development in the growth regions of the plant near the tips of shoots and roots. It also affects sugar transport and appears to be associated with some of the functions of calcium. Boron affects pollination and the development of viable seeds which in turn affect the normal development of fruit. Boron is taken up by plant roots as the neutral molecule HB 4 O 7 and BO 3 -. Deficiency of boron is most likely on sandy soils low in organic matter. Excessive rainfall or irrigation may leach boron from sandy soils. A suspected boron deficiency should be confirmed by soil and plant analyses before a boron fertilizer is applied since excessive boron can be highly toxic to plants. For in season correction of boron deficiency, foliar sprays at the rate of 0.2 to 0.4 lb B/A are recommended. Multiple applications are usually required. A molybdenum function in enzyme nitrate reductive which is responsible for reduction of nitrate to nitrite during N assimilation in plants. Molybdenum is available to plants as the HMoO 4 ion. Deficiencies may occur on acid sandy soils and acid peats. Certain vegetable crops such as cauliflower are particularly susceptible to molybdenum deficiency. Soil tests for molybdenum are not reliable for making molybdenum fertilizer recommendations. Liming soils to a pH of 6.0-6.5 is the best method to correct molybdenum deficiency; however, some cauliflower cultivars seem to be susceptible to molybdenum deficiency even in limed soils. Soil applications of 0.25-0.5 pounds per acre of actual molybdenum can be used if molybdenum deficiency is a problem. Foliar applications of 1-2 oz/A of actual molybdenum are suggested for Cole crops where a deficiency is known or expected. Do not over apply molybdenum as high rates can be toxic to animals. Zinc is important for the formation and activity of chlorophyll and in the   Ploughing of land By tractor 02-  Weeding and levelling By manual labour 04-  Demarcation of layout By manual labour 05-  Application of manures by raking By manual labour 19-10-2014 Application of micronutrients By manual labour 20-  Transplanting By manual labour Experimental details:-The experiment entitled "Effect of different micronutrient on the growth, yield and flower bud quality of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italica) c.v. -Green Bud" was conducted as per following details: Design and layout of experiment:-Ten treatments having one variety were laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The treatments in each replication were allotted randomly. Ten treatments having one variety were tried in the experimental design.   "Green bud"-(F1, 63-68 days) produces uniform, Early maturity, small-beaded green heads, each 5-6" (13-15 cm) across. Strong cold tolerance makes this one of the best types of broccoli for fall and winter production. Resists head rot, downy mildew, and brown bead. Crops are ready for harvesting in 65-70 days after transplanting. About 100-150 q yield /ha may be obtained.

Treatments Treatment Combination
Manganese (Mn) T 5 Boron + Molybdenum T 6 Boron + Manganese + Zinc T 7 Molybdenum + Magnesium T 8 Boron + Molybdenum + Manganese + Zinc T 9 Boron + Zinc T 10 Zinc (Zn) 2023 1.6 Details of Cultivation:-The details regarding the various cultural operations carried out during the course of investigation are furnished below: 1.6.1 Preparation of Nursery:-A normal sized nursery bed (1.0 m x 1.0 m) was raised 15cm above the soil surface in the department nursery in the month of October 2014. While leveling, a slope of 2.0 cm was maintained from the centre to all sides for efficient drainage. Then the prepared bedding mixture was evenly spread in form of 5.0 cm thick layer over the nursery. Rows were made 1.5 to 2.0 cm deep at 10.0 cm apart and seeds were sown, covered and watered. The seedlings became ready for transplanting within a month and transplanted.
1.6.2 Field Preparation:-Land was thoroughly prepared 25 days prior to transplanting by deep ploughing, harrowing thrice and weeds and stubbles were removed completely. The land was brought to a fine tilth by thorough tillage. On 04 Nov. 2014 the experimental area laid out into ridge bed of size 1.5 x 1.0 m. A spacing of 0.40 between to replications was maintained for lying of irrigation channels and bunds, respectively.

Application of Manures and fertilizers:-
The organic manure applied was FYM 25 t/ha were well incorporated in the experimental field 20 days before transplanting of seedling. Half dose of nitrogen, total phosphorus and potash were well mixed and applied as basal dose before transplanting. According to the treatment the micronutrients (B: Mo: Mn: Zn -2: 0.5: 2.5: 3 kg/ha) are applied before transplanting. Balance half quantity of nitrogen was applied as top dressing at 30 days after transplanting.

Transplanting:-
Irrigation was given to the plots two day transplanting of the seedling. So that seedling could be transplanted in well moist soil. 35 days old seedlings were transplanting in the main field in the month of November, 2014. During the transplanting soil was pressed firmly around the seedling will not be disturbed by irrigation water immediately after transplanting.
After care:-1.7.1. Gap filling;-In order to maintain uniform stand of the crop in each plot, the dead seedling were located 10 days after transplanting and replaced with new ones of the same age.

Weeding and hoeing:-
The plot were kept weed free throughout the growth period by weeding at regular intervals. First weeding and hoeing was done 25 days after transplanting and second weeding and hoeing was done 50 days after transplanting.    chloropyriphos 20 EC @ 0.75 kg ha-1 By manual labour 21-11-2014 Irrigation by hose By manual labour 22-11-2014 Irrigation by hose By manual labour 23-  Irrigation by slight flooding By manual labour 30-  Gap filling and irrigation by can By manual labour 06-  Flood irrigation By manual labour 10-12-2014 First reading 11-12-2014 Application of malathion 50 EC (0.05%) By manual labour 15-12-2014 First weeding By manual labour 17-12-2014 Flood irrigation By manual labour 20-  Ear-thing-up By manual labour 27-12-2014 Flood irrigation By manual labour 30-  Second reading 31-  Application of malathion 50 EC (0.05%) By manual labour 10-01-2015 Second  Standardization: -Standardization of the dye 2,6-dichlorophenol-indo-phenol solution was done by titrating it against standard ascorbic acid solution for the purpose 100 mg of pure ascorbic acid was dissolve in 3% metaphosphoric acid and volume made to 100 ml from this 10 ml ascorbic acid solution was used for titration. The results were expressed as ascorbic acid in mg/100 g of juice.
Vitamin C mg/100 g of broccoli fresh tissue.
Where, Y= ml of dye indicator used in the titration. V 1 = Volume to which the juice is diluted. T= Titrate volume of day with standard solution of Vitamin "C" V 2 = Volume of filtrate taken for titration.

1.11
Statistical analysis:-The data on growth yield and quality components were subjected to Fisher"s method of analysis of variance (ANOVA), where the "F" tests was significant for comparison of the treatment means, CD values were worked out at 5% probability level.

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA):-Analysis of treatment for all treatments in Randomized Block
Design was carried out. For testing the hypothesis the following ANOVA table was used.  The significance and non-significance of the treatment effect was judged with the help of "F" variance ratio test. Calculated "F" value was compared with the table value of "F" at 5% level significant. If the calculated value exceeds the table value, the effect was considered to be significant. The significant differences between the mean were tested against the critical differences at 5% level of significance. For testing the hypothesis, the ANOVA table was used.          Table and T1  T2  T3  T4  T5  T6  T7  T8  T9 2.14 shows that various treatment combinations significantly influence the dry weight of root. The treatment T 6 (B + Mn +Zn) recorded the maximum dry root weight (11.65 gm) followed by T 7 (Mo+ Mn) with 11.36 gm. The lowest dry root weight found in T 1 (control) 9.17 gm. The dry root weight in T 5 (B + Mo) and T 10 (Zn) had almost similar (11.01 gm and 11.09 gm respectively). This   16. Treatment T 6 (B + Mn +Zn) was recorded maximum gross return (Rs 303700 ha -1 ) followed by Rs. 287600 ha -1 with T 8 (B + Mo + Mn+ Zn), while the minimum gross return (Rs 182150) was recorded with (control). Treatment T 6 (B + Mn +Zn) was recorded maximum Net return (Rs 212433 ha -1 ) followed by Rs. 195821 ha -1 with T 8 (B + Mo + Mn+ Zn) and minimum Net return (Rs 93058) was recorded with (control). Treatment T 6 (B + Mn +Zn) was recorded highest benefit cost ratio (3.32) followed by 3.13 with T 8 (B + Mo + Mn+ Zn), while the minimum benefit cost ratio (2.02) was recorded with (control). Above results clearly show that out of the 10 treatment tried in this experiment, treatment T 6 (B + Mn + Zn) maintained its superiority over all other treatment and proved to be the appropriate relation to growth, yielding attributes, yield and economics return for cultivation of broccoli under the agro-climatic condition of Allahabad.

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 The maximum bud diameter 16.90 cm was recorded with T 6 (B + Mn +Zn) followed by 16.28 cm in T 9 (B +Zn) and T 8 (B + Mo + Mn + Zn) i.e. 15.73 cm, which were significantly higher than other treatment. The lowest bud diameter (14.04 cm) was observed in treatment T 1 (control).  The treatment T 6 (B + Mn + Zn) had significantly the highest bud weight (303.69 gm) followed by T 8 (B + Mo + Mn +Zn) is 287.61 gm. Lowest bud weight 182.15 gm was observed in T 1 (control).  Maximum number of frouds (15.67) was observed in T 6 (B + Mn + Zn) followed by 14.08 T 3 (Mo) and minimum (12.75) were found in T 0 (control).  The treatment T 6 (B + Mn + Zn) and T 8 (B + Mo + Mn +Zn) had significantly more yield per hectare than other treatment (121.48 q/ha and 115.04 q/ha. The treatment T 1 (control) recorded lowest yield per hectare (72.86 q/ha).  The maximum T.S.S (Brix 0 ) value T 6 (B + Mn + Zn) 8.37, followed by T 10 (Zn) 7.89. The lowest T.S.S (Brix 0 ) value was recorded in T 1 (control) 6.46.  The maximum vitamin "C" mg/100gm recorded (93.92 mg) in T 6 (B + Mn + Zn) followed by T 7 (Mo + Mn) 88.43. The lowest vitamin was found in case of T 1 (control) 78.81 followed by (80.22) T 3 (Mo).  The maximum Tritable acidity recorded (0.44 %) in T 6 (B + Mn + Zn) followed by nearly 0.43 % T 8 (B + Mo + Mn + Zn) and T 3 (Mo). The lowest treatable acidity was found in T 1 (control) 0.33% followed by T 9 (B +Zn) 0.37.  In treatment T 6 (B + Mn +Zn) fresh weight of plant was highest (908.28 gm) followed by (867.65 gm) T 8 (B + Mo + Mn +Zn). The lowest fresh plant weight found in T 0 (control) 725.92 gm.  In treatment T 6 (B + Mn +Zn) weight of root was highest (45.02 gm) followed by (43.91 gm) T 8 (B + Mo + Mn +Zn). The lowest fresh plant weight found in T 0 (control) 35.43 gm.  The treatment T 6 (B + Mn +Zn) recorded the maximum dry matter (95.61 gm) followed by T 8 (B+ Mo+ Mn+ Zn) with 91.33 gm. The lowest dry matter found in T 1 (control) 76.41 gm.  The treatment T 6 (B + Mn +Zn) recorded the maximum dry root weight (11.65 gm) followed by T 7 (Mo+ Mn) with 11.36 gm. The lowest dry root weight found in T 1 (control) 9.17 gm.  Treatment T 6 (B + Mn +Zn) was recorded maximum gross return, Net return and benefit cost ratio (Rs 303700 ha -1 , Rs 212433 ha -1 and 3.32) while the minimum gross return, Net return and Benefit cost ratio (Rs 182150 ha -1 , 195821 ha -1 and 2.02) was recorded with T 1 (control).  Treatment T 6 (B + Mn +Zn) were found superior over all other treatment growth, flower bud quality and economic return for cultivation of broccoli. From the present investigation it was concluded that treatment T 6 (B + Mn +Zn) was found the best out of 10 micronutrient combinations treatment in terms growth, yield, flower bud quality and economics return. The highest B:C ratio (1:3.32)was found for treatment T 6 (B + Mn +Zn) for broccoli c.v-green bud, However since this is based on one season experiment therefore further trials may be needed to substantiate the results.