Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 6 (2005) 103-108
Effect of Boron on Cauliflower Production
Y.G. Khadka, S.K. Rai and S. Raut
Soil Science Division
Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC)
Khumaltar; Lalitpur
e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
The effect of different levels of boron on cauliflower production was studied in a farmers' participatory on-farm
rcsexch approach at Sipadol, Bhaktapur dlstrict during 2001 to 2002. The objective of the experiment was to
identify appropriate and economic dose of boron for better cauliflower production in terms of both quality and
qumtity and thus increase the farmers' income. In the expenmental site, cauliflower based cropping patterns;
~lor~nal
season rice-cauliflower and maize-cauliflower are extensively adopted by the farmers. Preliminary soil
analytical report also depicts the critically low level of available boron in the study area l k s experiment designed
in randomized completeblock design (RCBD) was consisting of five different level of boron (B) including farmer's
practice as a control with four replications. The experimental results revealed the better quality and quantity of
caulitlower curd (14.3 and 13.9 t ha-1) from the treatment with 20-kg borax in both the years 2001 and 2002
respectively. Similarly, the higher amount of soils B (0.730 and 0.768 ppm) was extracted in the same treatment (20kg borax ha-1) as a residual after cauliflower harvest. Response to boron was significant wh~chindcated that the
horon (B) is an essential micronutrient for the better quality and quantity of caulitlower production for the study area
Key words: borax, cropping pattern, farmers' participatory research, residual
Introduction
Study of boron requirement on cauliflower is necessary
especially where intensive cropping practices are
dominant,particularly in light textured and low organic
matter containing soils. The cauliflower (Brassica
olrracea L.) is also an indicator plant for boron
determination (Wallace 1951).Boron (B)is an essential
nlicronutrient for the grdwth of plant new cells. It is
not readly mobile in the plant. Its deficiency in plant
ceases the terminal bud growth, followed by death of
young leaves. Without adequate boron, the flower
retention, pollen germination and pollen tube growth
is reduced markedly resulting into lesser fruit
development. Soil boron is found into four major
forms: (1) primary rocks and minerals (2) combined
in soil organic matter, (3) adsorbed on colloidal clay
and (4) boric acid [H3B3 or B(OH)4-1:ion in soil
solution. Freshly precipitated aluminum hydroxides
absorb large amounts of boron, so that liming in acidic
soils frequently causes a boron deficiency as soluble
boron is adsorbed on the new metal oxide precipitates.
Trehan and Sharma (1999) also reported that the
amount of water-soluble boron in cultivated soils
appears to be influenced more by the soil pH than any
other factors. Higher pH level in soils indicates that
the organic matter is in active equilibrium with watersoluble boron. Soil pH value near to neutrality holds
boron better than an acid soil. Low level of watersoluble boron in old acid and leached soils has also
been explained in the literature. Similarly, soil organic
matter, mineral colloid content, age of soil and type of
imgation water also Influence the water-soluble boron.
The hgher level of organic matter content in soil helps
to fix more boron. Boron contents of plants are closely
associated with deficiency or toxicity. A study by
Sillanpaa (1982), showed lower level of boron
concentration in the majority of the soils of Narayani,
Seti, Mahakali, Gandaki, ,Bagmati, ~umbini,Bheri,
Koshi, Mechi and Sagarmatha areas. He has also
mentioned that the great majority of Nepalese soil
samples are texturally on the coarse side. On this basis,
widespread B deficiency, acute or hdden is more likely
to exist in Nepal, limiting yields especially of those
crops with high B requirement. The survey report of
the study areas also indicated that the application of
organic manures and chemical fertilizers was found to
be inadequate, imbalanced, and over mined due to the
higher intensity of the existing cropping systems.
Decreasing yield trend and the deteriorated quality
of cauliflower curd production in the study area
especially in Sipadol, Kantunje and Jagati of Bhaktapur
district is commonly observed. These areas are
commercially cauliflower-growingpockets in normal
season. Some disorders attributed to boron deficiency
Y.G. Uadka ct al.Nepa1 Journal of Science and Technology 6 (2005) 103-108
are hollow stem and brownish curd of cauliflower
(Raymond & Donahue 1995).
Materials and Methods
At the outset, a soil survey was carried out to identify
the problematic area for the cauliflower production at
different VDCs of Bhaktapur district. Composite soil
samples were collected and analyzed for physicochemical properties. Hot water extraction method was
followed to determineavailableboron (Berger & Tmog
1944). On the basis of boron analysis report, farmers'
participatory research was conducted on cauliflower
at Sipadol, Bhaktapur district with a main objective to
identify the appropriate and economic dose of boron
for the better quality and quantity of cauliflower curd
production. The experiment was laid out in a
randomized complete block design with five levels of
boron treatments (Table 1)including farmers' practices
as per the statistical procedure mentioned by Gomez
and Gomez (1976). Individual plot size was 7 m x 5 m
(35 m2) with 70 cm and 50 cmrow to row and plant to
plant spacing respectively. Borax as a fertilizer
(Na2B407.10H20) with 11.37 % B content was
applied as a basal dose at the final stage of land
preparation by mixing borax powder with fine sand to
increase its volume for uniform application.
Recommended primary nutrients were applied @
120:80:40N, P205, K20 kg ha-l as a blanket dose in
each treatment plots. The variety of cauliflower was
Katmandu local, which is also a boron indxator plants.
Table 1.Treatmentcombinations
Treatment
Boron levels
T- 1
Farmer's Practice (No borax application)
T-2
5 kg
T-3
10 kg ~ o m h a - l =(1.14kg B ha-l)
T-5
20 kg Boraxha-l= (2.27kg B ha-l)
om ha-l = (0.57kg B hX1)
Various agronomicparameters were recorded and
analyzed by using Inistat ~ersion92-1 (IRRI 1992).
The treatment effects were compared using least
significant difference (LSD) and Duncan's multiple
tests at 5 % level of significance.
Results and Discussion
Soil Analytical Results
The soil analytical results of three sites (Table 2)
indicate low category of organic matter and total
nitrogen content. Majority of the soils were light in
texture. Available P and K status was hgher in each
site. The soil reactions show extremely to strongly
acihc (pH 3.5 - 4.9) in the study area (SSD 2002).
The soils were found to be low in hot water extractable
boron (Landon 1991), which could be attributed to
acidic soils and higher leaching process in light textural
soils. The hot water-extractable boron contents of the
different soil samples were at critical level ranging from
0.13 to 0.58 ppm in the soil (Table 2). Boron content
less than 0.5 ppm concentrationin soil is a critical level
(Berger &Truog 1944, Stinson 1953). Boron element
moves down from the surface horizon into clayey soil
horizon and gets accumulated in 12 to 36 inch soil
depth in the light textured soils. The overall soil fertility
of the three sites was poor.
Response of Different Levels of Boron by
Cauliflower
The combined analysis of the treatment effect of.
treatment no. 5 (20 kg borax ha-l) in different years
(2001 and 2002) on cauliflower curd and biomass
production was highly significant to other treatments.
The two years' means of 5 treatments revealed that
the increasing levels of boron produced increasing
trend of curd and biomass production. It indcated that
the boron requirement was higher for cauliflower
production in the soils of Sipadol area. The curd
production was hlgher in treatment no. 5 in both the
years (Table 3) while lowest curd production W+S from
the control treatment (farmer's practice). Highest mean
curd yield has also been reported by Chaudhary (1998a)
when higher level of borax application (12 kg ha-l)
was applied at Tarahara, Sunsari. Similar trend was
also observed for fresh and dry weight biomass
production (Table 4 and Table 5). Effect of treatment
no. 5 was highly significant on fresh and dry weight
biomass. Overall, the quality of cauliflowerfromboron
treated plots was also found superior to the farmers'
practice in the experiment. Similar observation was
also recorded by Chaudhary (1998b). .
Residual soil boron on hot water extraction after
the cauliflower harvest was also found increasing with
the increasing levels of boron application. The
significantly higher amount of soil boron (0.730 and
0.768 ppm) was extracted from treatment 5 (20 kg
borax ha-l) as compared to treatments TI, T2, and T3
(0, 5, and 10 kg borax hav1 respectively) in the first
year and TI, and T2 treatment in thesecond year (Table
5) agreeing with the fact that boron fertilizer has longer
residual effects on silty and clayey soils than sandy
soils (Dobermann & Thomas 2000).
However the effects of 4 and 5 treatments were
not significantly different in both years. Similarly,
significant response of boron uptake was found in
treatment no. 5 in both the years than other treatments
Y.G. Khadka et al./Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 6 (2005) 103-108
Table 2. Soil physico-chemical properties of the study area
Sipadol, Bhaktapur district
Farmer's Name
Soil pH OM(%) N(%) P,O,(kg ha-') q O p g ha- Soil B(ppn1) Sand%
0.205
0.194
0.154
0.137
0.217
0.177
0.130
0.182
0.165
0.188
341.29
512.43
454.06
183.01
619.27
566.84
308.64
379.87
500.56
388.77
Mr. KrishnaTwana
Mr. Narayan Suwal
Mr. Shiva P. Shamm
Mr. Prakash Sharma
Mr. Hari B. Suwal
Mr. Narayan Suwal
Mr. Bal K. Prajapati
Mr. Kaji Chakunml
Mr. Kaji La1 ChaIuji
Mr. Kancha Sujaki
4.9
4.1
4.6
4.3
4.4
4.0
4.3
4.1
4.2
4.1
Mr. Ganesh
4.3
2.14
0.158
452.09
Dhuhchu
Mr. Jeevan Lage
Mr. Siyal Suwal
Mr. Tulsi N. Korju
Mr. Satya Sidhikhu
Mr. DhanaB. Lage
Mr. LaxnuB. Lage
Mr. GaneshP. G d u
Mr. Kumar Jhangaju
Mr. Bud& Akhang
Mr. Tulsi. Manchak
4.8
3.5
3.5
3.9
3.9
4.9
3.5
3.8
4.5
4.8
2.68
2.68
1.21
1.47
3.08
1.88
2.14
3.22
2.81
2.68
0.177
0.199
0.177
0.110
0.185
0.130
0.137
0.185
0.213
0.144
420.43
269.07
437.25
197.76
398.67
306.67
459.99
272.08
399.65
417.46
3.62
2.95
2.64
1.88
2.60
2.95
2.60
2.28
4.15
3.35
291'
191
475
237
429
182
474
164
228
191
Silt% Clay%
Class
0.280
0.230
0.150
0.230
0.340
0.210
0.448
0.14 1
0.131
0.21 1
33
35
59
11
56
36
33
33
36
63
49
42
25
72
32
42
49
49
42
29
18
23
16
17
12
22
18
18
22
8
L
L
SL
SiL
SL
L
L
L
L
SL
246
0.221
25
59
16
SiL
210
2 10
146
146
264
273
164
200
3 10
364
0.190
0.280
0.196
0.183
0.175
0.125
0.224
0.196
0.280
0.392
23
57
53
57
35
29
47
37
49
37
59
31
31
31
41
47
37
51
41
49
18
12
16
12
24
24
16
12
10
14
SiL
SL
SL
SL
L
L
L
SiL
L
L
0.350
0.448
0.588
0.560
0.345
0.308
0.616
0.410
0.380
0.235
0.240
0.250
0.310
43
35
33
29
41
41
53
53
19'
35
27
29
47
45
53
49
51
49
47
31
29
57
41
49
47
37
12
12
18
20
10
12
16
18
24
24
24
24
16
L
SiL
L
SiL
L
L
SL
SL
SiLL
L
L
. L
Jagati, Bhaktapur district
Katunje, Bhaktapur district
Mr. Indra Labi
3.5
1.88
Mr. ChandraTayana
4.4
3.89
Mr. Siva L. Kushwa
4.3
3.22
Mr. Hari P. Chusyaki 3.7
3.75
Mr. Ram K. Giri
3.8
1.47
Mr. Gayan Rajthab
4.5
1.88
Mr. Jaganath Rajthala 4.6
2.28
Mr. Krishna Kayaju
4.1
4.02
Mr. Krishna Suwal
3.8
4.02
Mr. Gautam Saiju
4.4
2.68
Mr. Bishwo Kunm
3.6
3.08
Mr. Buddhi Toyana
4.0
3.35
Mr. Tulsi B. Toyana
4.8
3.75
L = Loam, SL = Sandy l o w L = Loam
0.160
0.185
0.313
0.261
0.120
0.096
0.130
0.171
0.234
0.194
0.131
0.21 1
0.194
4.95.62
266.12
492.12
448.53
413.50
280.76
265.22
504.48
397.68
293.81
260.17
256.21
392.73
3 10
137
261
2 19
264
183
711
255
237
237
173
155
173
Table 3. Fresh weight curd (t ha-1) in different levels of boron at Sipadol, Bhaktapur district, 200112002
Treatments
Fresh curd weight (t ha -')
Fresh curd weight (t ha-')
Treatment mean
(200 1)
7.29
9.21
10.51
13.43
14.29
10.95
(2002)
10.09
10.97
11.11
11.49
13.90
11.52
8.69
10.09
10.81
12.46
14.16
11.23
-'
-'
-'
T 1 = 0 kg borax ha (Control)
T2 = 5 kg borax ha
T3 = 10 kg borax ha
T4 = 15 kg borax ha
T5 = 20 kg borax ha
-'
-'
Mean
C.V (%)
LSD (0.5 %)
=
13.8
2.25
(Table 7). Boron content of plant was also found
increasing with increasing levels of hot-water-soluble
boron in the soil (Bucher 1957).
Correlation between soil and plant boron
concentration
Positive correlation between hot water extractable
soil boron and plant boron was observed. The result of
F-test
S.E.D
-
14.72**
1.04
the two years' experiments (2001 and 2002) revealed
a highly significant correlation (R2-0.9378, R2=9495)
between soil and plant boron content (Fig. 1 and
Fig. 2). Coleman (1945) also reported a good
correlationbetween water-soluble boron in the soil and
boron content of the plants on a given soil type. This
relationship did not hold true, however, when different
soil types (textures) are compared.
Y.G. Khadka et al./NepalJoumal of Science and Technology 6 (2005) 103-108
0.3
Soil B, pprn
Fig. 1. The Relationship between hot water extractable soil
boron and plant boron, 2001
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
Soil 6, ppm
Fig. 2. T;le relationship between hot water extractable soil
boron and plant boron, 2002
Table 4. Fresh weight biomass (t h d ) in different levels of boron at Sipadol, Bhaktapur district, 200112002
Treatments
Fresh biomass weight
Fresh biomass weight
Treatment mean
(t. ha -')(2002)
(t. ha -')(2001)
T1= 0 kg borax ha -'(Control)
15.54
19.23
17.39
18.47
18.67
18.57
T3 = 5 kg borax ha
19.59
21.13
20.36
T3 = 10 kg borax ha
22.54
22.06
22.30
T4 = 15 kg borax ha
26.51
25.97
26.24
T5 = 20 kg borax ha
20.53
21.41
20.97
Mean
-C.V (%)
11.1 %
F-test
17.87**
-LSD (0.5 %) =
2.39
S.E.D
1.17
-'
-'
-'
-'
Table 5. Dry weight biomass (t ha-l) in different levels of boron at Sipadol, Bhaktapur district, 200112002
Dry biomass weight
(t. ha")y2001)
T 1 = 0 kg borax ha (Control)
1.99
2.33
T2 = 5 kg borax ha
2.71
T3 = 10 kg borax ha
3.39
T4 = 15 kg borax ha
3.95
T5 = 20 kg borax ha
2.87
Mean
12.4 %
C.V (%)
Treatments
S'
-'
-'
-'
Dry biomass Weight
(t. ha-')(2002)
2.06
3.33
?.71
3.10
5.10
3.66
F-test
-
Treatment mean
2.83
2.83
3.21
3.75
4.53
3.27
43.58**
Table 6. Hot water extractable soil boron Bfter cauliflower harvest, at Sipadol, Bhaktapur district, 200112002
Treatments
Hot water extractable
Hot water extractable Treatment mean
soil B (ppm) (2002)
soil I3 (pprn) (2001)
T1 = 0 kg borax ha -'(Control)
0.345 c
0.438 c
0.391 d
T2 = 5 kg borax ha
0.555 t
0.580 b
0.567 c
0.615 b
0 655 ab
T3 = 10 kg borax ha
0.635 bc
0.650 ab
0.675 ab
0.66 ab
T4 = 15 k~ borax ha
T5 = 20 k i borax ha
0.730 a
0.768 a
0.749 a
Mean
0.580
0.623
0.601
12.5 %
F-test
25.66**
C.V (%)
-'
-'
-'
-'
Y.G. Khadka et al.lNepa1 Journal of Science and Technology 6 (2005) 103-108
Table 7. Boron content in plant at harvesting stage of cauliflower at Sipadol, Bhaktapur district, 20011002
Plant content B (ppm)
Plant B content B (ppm)
Treatment mean
--(200 1)
(2002)
T 1 = 0 kg borax ha (Control)
11.250 c
12.750 c
12.000 d
T 2 = 5 kg borax ha
16.500 b
17.500 b
17.000 c
21.750 a
T 3 = 10 kg borax ha
22.500 a
22.125 b
T4 = 15 kg borax ha
22.750 a
23.500 a
23.000 ab
23.750 a
T 5 = 20 ki borax ha
24.750 a
24.250 a
Mean
19.200
20.150
19.675
C.V (%)
8.3 %
F-test
78.94**
LSD (0.5 %) =
1.666
S.E.D
0.812
Treatments
-'
-'
-'
-'
-'
Table 8. Boron uptake at harvesting stage of cauliflower at Sipadol Bhaktapur district, 20011002
Treatments
T1=0 kg borax ha.' (Control)
T2 = 5 kg borax ha-'
T3 = 10 kg borax ha-'
T4 = 15 kg borax ha-'
T5 = 20 k.i borax M'
Mean
C.V (%)
= 5.3 %
B-uptake (kg ha-')
(2001)
0.023 e
0.040 d
0.059 c
0.077 b
0.094 a
0.058
B-uptake (kg ha-')
Treatment mean
(2002)
0.027 d
0.025 e
0.058 c
0.049 d
0.084 b
0.071 c
0.096 b
0.086 b
0.126 a
0.011 a
0.078
0.068
F-test
=
79.58**
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
The significant response of boron at Sipadol farmer's
field experiment indicated that it is an essential
micronutrient for the better quality and quantity of
cauliflower curd production. Cauliflower is one of the
most boron-requiring crops. The results of this
experiment would be of paramount value for
cauliflower production in the experimental sites.
Further on-farmverificationresearch is needed to find
out the actual requirement of boron level for the
cauliflower production at Sipadol sites and in other
similar type of environments.
The authors are highly grateful to Dr. S. L. Maskey,
Chief of Soil Science Division, for her valuable
guidance in conducting h s experiment. Mr. R. Uprety
and Mr. C. Chaudhary and other subordinates are
highly acknowledged for their valuable help in
conducting this experiment. Last but not the least the
farmers of the experimental-areas are greatly
acknowledged for their participation and cooperation
during the field research.
On the basis of existing soil condition, boron
application for cauliflower production is necessary at
Sipadol site.
20 kg or more than 2 0 kg boron ha-l is necessary
for better qualitative and quantitative production of
"Kathmandu Local" cauliflower variety at Sipadol
agro-environmentat present context.
Farmer's participatory research has been an
important and effective tool for the technology
adoption and dissemination.
Further on-farm research on boron requirement
in caulitlower at different framer's fields is needed
to verify the actual requirement of boron in
cauliflower.
References
Berger, K.S. and.E. Truog. 1944. Boron test and
determination for soils and plants. Journal of Soil
Science 57:25-36.
Bucher, R. 1957. Relationship between the b m in soil,
fertilizer, and plants. Landw. Forsch 10:165-176.
Chaudhary, D. K 1998a. Response of boron on late group
cauliflower at RARS, Tarahara. In: Proceedings of the
secondnational horticulture research workshop. Nepal
Agricultural Research Council (NARC) Khumaltar,
Lalitpur, June 1999. pp. 36-40. Chaudhary, D.K 1998b. Response of boron on late group
cauliflower at RARS, Tarahara. In: Proceedings of the
second national horticulture research workshop. Nepal
Agricultural Research Council (NARC) Khurnaltar.
Lalitpur, June 1999. pp. 219-220.
Coleman, R. 1945. Boron content of Mississippi soils and
plants. Soil Science Society of American. pp. 424-426.
Dobermam, A. and E Thomas. 2000. Boron deficiency. In:
Nutrient disorders and nutrient rnangement.
YG. Khadka et al./Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 6 (2005) 103-108
International Rice Research Institute, Philippines.
Gomez. K. Aand A. A. Gomez. 1976. Statistical procedures
for agricultural research., International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI), Los Banos, Philippines.
IRRI. 1992. IRRISTAT, User manual. International Rice
Research Institute Biometric Unit, Philippines.
Raymond,W. M. andR. L. Donahue. 1995. Potassiumsulfur
and micronutrients in soil in our environment. In: Soil
in our environment. 7th Edition. (J.U. Miller, Ed.).
Prentice-hall Inc. New Jersey, U.S.A. pp. 291-304.
Landon, J.R. 1991. Soil chemistry. In: Booker tropical soil
manual: A handbook for soil survey and agricultural
land evaluation in the tropics and subtropics (J. R.
Landon, Ed.). Longman Scientific and Technical,New
York. pp. 106-149.
SillanpZi, M. 1982. Micronutrients and the nutrient status
of soil: A global study. Sponsored by the government
of Finland. Soil BulletinNo. 48. FAO, Rome. pp. 242250.
Stinson, C.H. 1953. Soil Sci. J. 75:31-36
SSD. 2002. Soil nutrients rating on the basis of laboratory
analysis. In: Purpose of soil analysis andsoil sampling
techniques for the analysis. Soil Science Division.
Khumaltar. Booklet. pp. 7-8.
Trehan, S.P. and R.C. Sharma. 1999. Micronutrient
requirement of potato. Central Potato Research Institute
and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR),
Shimla, India.
Wallace, T. 1951. The diagnosis of mineral deficiencies in
plants. (2nd. edition). H. M. StationeryOffice,London.