Effect of seeds and seedlings soaking in borax solution on cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis L.)

Cauliflower (Brassica Oleracea var. Botrytis L.) is an important vegetable crop of Chotanagpur (Jharkhand) plateau and due to mild favourable temperature prevailing throughout the year. Though, temperature is suitable for cauliflower cultivation, soil fertility is not as good as compared to plains of the state. Due to low organic matter natural Boron content of the soil is subjected to leaching besides continuous cropping of cauliflower also caused depletion of Boron content. Soil application of Boron may not be suitable due to leaching and soil factors. Soaking of seeds and seedlings dipping in borax solution may meet the requirement of Boron to some extent and initial availability in early stage may produce better early standard growth resulting in higher curd yield. Keeping all the above facts under consideration, present experiment was planned and laid out. A field experiment was conducted at Horticultural Research Farm, Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi during two kharif seasons between 2002-04 on a well drained loamy soil. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications, consisting of 6 levels of Boron (0.25, 0.50, 1.0, 1.50, 2.0 and 2.50% and control) for seed soaking and seedling dipping making a total of 14 treatments. Five weeks old seedlings of variety “Early Kunwari” were transplanted in plot size of 4.20 x 2.10 m at spacing of 60 x 30 cm in both the years. Soaking of seeds and seedlings dipping were done for 12 hours. Distilled water was used for preparation of borax solution. After soaking of seeds, they were dried in shade to remove excess water to facilitate sowing of seeds in nursery. For dipping of seedling, the basal portion of seedlings roots about 2.5 3.0 cm. was dipped in prepared borax solution. They were kept in shade to drain access water of solution. The crop was fertilized with 100 kg N, 60 kg P2O5 and 50 kg K2O/ha. Plant protections measures and other cultural practices were done as per need of the crop. The observations related to growth and yield characters were recorded.