Cauliflower Growth, Yield and Quality Response to Nitrogen Fertilization and Micronutrients Foliar Application in Newly Reclaimed Areas

Abstract

Two field experiments were carried out during 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons, at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, New Valley University, New Valley governorate, Egypt, to study the effect of nitrogen levels (30, 45 and 60 kg/fed.) and micronutrients foliar application: control (B 0 + Mo 0), boron at 100 ppm (B 100), molybdenum at 50 ppm (Mo 50) and combined boron and molybdenum (B 100 + Mo 50) on cauliflower vegetative growth, yield, and quality parameters in the recently reclaimed areas, especially New Valley governorate as a promising area for agriculture expansion in Egypt. The results revealed that nearly all traits showed a gradual increment with increasing the nitrogen level; whereas the application of high level of nitrogen (60 kg/fed.) significantly increased vegetative growth, curd yield and curd quality of cauliflower and significantly decreased total phenols content and has no effect on number of days to maturity. Also, the results of this study reported promotional effects of either B or Mo foliar application on growth, yield and quality of cauliflower curds compared with untreated plants; nevertheless the combined application of B and Mo together was more effective than application of B or Mo when they separately applied. Moreover, inorganic nitrogen at 60 kg/fed. was more effective in the presence of B and Mo at 100 and 50 ppm, respectively, than the other combinations and achieved the highest curd yield with top quality.