Boron Uptake, Yield and Quality of Carrot (Daucus carota L.) In Response to Boron Application

Abstract

Boron is directly or indirectly involved in the enhancement of quality and quantity of crops especially vegetables and fruits so this study was planned to assess the boron uptake, yield and quality of carrot in response to boron application at Institute of Soil Chemistry and Environmental Science, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute Faisalabad. The study was set up as randomized complete block design with three replications. Six treatments viz. Control (No fertilizer), recommended dose (RD) of Chemical fertilizers (CF), RD of CF + 0.5 kg B ha-1, RD of CF + 0.75 kg B ha-1, RD of CF + 1.0 kg B ha-1, RD of CF + 1.25 kg B ha-1 were tested. The results depicted that the higher levels of boron i.e 1.0 and 1.25 kg ha-1 along with RD of CF resulted in higher yield (14 and 18% respectively), higher uptake (47.8 and 93.1 g ha-1 respectively) and caused reduction in carrot damage (42 and 39% respectively) in comparison with recommended dose of chemical fertilizers. The highest level of boron (1.25 kg B ha-1) responded highest boron concentration (47.6 ppm) in carrot fruit and vice versa in control (19.1 ppm) where no boron application was practiced. The boron application is essential and crucial need of the hour along with chemical fertilizers for enhancing the quality and quantity of carrot and avoiding the soils to become boron deficient. In this perspective future research should be inclined on role of B in vegetable production with levels > 1.0 kg ha-1 under boron deficient soils.