Boron fertilization improves growth, yield, boron uptake and quality of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.)

Boron is the key element in many metabolic and physiological processes affecting quality of vegetables which are among the major sources in human diet. Field experiments were conducted with six different levels of borax (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10, 15 and 20 kg ha(-1)) on boron deficient farmers' fields to evaluate the effect of borax on the growth, yield and quality of beetroot variety Boro. The treatments were replicated thrice on a randomized block design. Major nutrients were applied as per recommendations (NPK 120:160:100 kg ha(-1)) uniformly in all treatments. Growth and yield parameters, fresh tuber yield, quality parameters of beet root variety Boro were recorded, and B availability, its content and uptake by plants were estimated using standard procedures. Results showed that soil application of recommended NPK along with 15 kg borax ha(-1) was optimal and economical in increasing the fresh tuber yield of beetroot by 26% with improved tuber quality in all the farms. The same treatment increased the growth and yield parameters of the crop in all the three farms. A slight reduction in growth, yield and quality parameters of the crop was observed at the highest level of borax addition (20 kg ha(-1)). The boron content and uptake by beetroot and its availability in soil was also significantly increased with increasing levels of borax addition.