Effect of foliar application of boron on fruit set and yield of BARI Bt Begun

Abstract

A field experiment on Bt brinjal (var. BARI Bt Begun-2) was carried out to investigate the effect of boron on its flowering, fruit setts and yield at the Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur during 2018. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The experimental treatment comprised four doses of boron (B), viz. 0.0 (control), 50, 100 and 150 ppm B. Boron in the form of boric acid (H3BO3) was applied at full bloom stage and then the other two sprays were given at an interval of 10 days. Results revealed that the yield and yield contributing characters of Bt begun were significantly influenced by foliar application of boron. Plant height (70.4 cm), number of fruits/plant (30.4), length of fruit (13.4 cm), individual fruit weight (79.0 g), fruit yield/9.0 m² (2433 g) were found to be maximum with spraying of B @ 100 ppm compared to the other treatments. Spraying of 100 ppm B recorded the highest fruit yield (24.30 t/ha) which was significantly higher than 150 ppm B and control treatment. According to regression equation, the optimum dose of boron concentration was 85 ppm. Quality attributes, viz. TSS (6.23 ^oBrix), Vitamin C (22.7 mg/100g and b carotene (25.2 ug/100 g) were also found highest at 100 ppm B. The maximum boron uptake both by fruits (0.07 kg/ha) and plants (0.06 kg/ha) was recorded at 100 ppm B. Therefore, it is concluded that 85 ppm boron (500 ppm boric acid) as foliar application along with other soil applied fertilizers @ 116-32-70-13-2 kg/ha of N-P-K-S-Zn can be recommended for higher yield and quality of Bt begun production.

Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 49(2): 157-165, June 2024