Effect of boron fertilizers and organic manure on autumn cauliflower in western Himalayas

A field experiment was conducted dpuring kharif 2007 to study the effects of boron rates, its sources and organic manure on autumn cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) yield, quality, boron availability and efficiency in soil, boron uptake and economics under Western Himalayan conditions. The experiment was laid in Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications. There were 13 treatments comprising all the possible combinations of two levels of FYM (20 and 30 t ha⁻¹), two boron sources (boron and granubor-II), three levels of boron (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 kg ha⁻¹) and an absolute control (farmers’ practice). The uniform doses of recommended N, P and K fertilizers were applied in all the plots. However, fertilizers were applied as per the existing farmers’ practice in absolute control. Curd yield, quality, boron uptake, its availability and balance and net income increased due to use of 30 t ha⁻¹ manure compared to 20 t ha⁻¹ manure. Using granubor-II as a boron source, improved not only quality but the productivity of cauliflower. The boron levels of 1.5 kg ha⁻¹ improved yield, quality and net returns over other rates i.e. 0.5 and 1.0 kg ha⁻¹ B. Yield and profit of cauliflower production in the Western Himalayas could be achieved with the use of granubor-II @ 1.5 kg ha⁻¹ as the boron source + 20 t ha⁻¹ organic manure alongwith recommended doses of chemical fertilizers.