Effects of Boron Foliar Sprays at Different Concentrations on Growth and Yield of Cauliflower (<i>Brassica oleracea</i> var. <i>botrytis</i>) in Marin, Sindhuli, Nepal

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of boron foliar sprays on growth and yield of cauliflower in Marin, Sindhuli, Nepal.An experiment was conducted during the winter season under open field conditions by using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 10 treatments and 3 replications.Treatments were foliar concentrations of 0.025% boron (1time spray), 0.025% boron (2-times spray), 0.025% boron (3-times spray), 0.05% boron (1-time spray), 0.05% boron (2-times spray), 0.05% boron (3-times spray), 0.075% boron (1-time spray), 0.075% boron (2-times spray), 0.075% boron (3-times spray) and control (no application of boron).The findings demonstrate that boron application positively impacts key yield parameters such as biomass, curd weight, curd diameter, curd size, and yield, while also reducing physiological disorder like hollowness in cauliflower curds.The experiment illustrates that the average mean yield of different treatments was 20.96 t/ha.Overall, the highest yield per hectare (25.66 t/ha) was found at 0.075% Boron (2-times spray) and the lowest yield per hectare (9.6 t/ha) was found at control.The study showed that the highest biomass of 3.02 kg was found at treatment 0.05% Boron (3-times spray), and the lowest biomass was found at Control with 1.46 kg.Data of the study revealed that the highest curd weight of 1.997 was found at treatment 0.05% Boron (3-times spray) and the lowest biomass was found at Control (0.71 kg).Likewise, the highest curd size (66.76 cm) was reported at treatment 0.075% Boron (2-times spray), and the smallest curd size (44.55 cm) was found at control.The study showed the highest curd diameter of 23.03 cm was found at treatment 0.075% Boron (2-times spray), and the lowest curd diameter of 14.25 cm was found at control.The study also revealed that the highest length of hollowness (8.57cm) was found at Control and the lowest length of hollowness (0.16 cm) was found at 0.075% Boron (3-times spray) while, the highest diameter of hollowness (1.83 cm) was found in control and the lowest diameter of hollowness (0.16 cm) was found at 0.025% Boron (3-times spray).The data revealed from the study concluded that applying foliar spray of 0.075% boron (2 times) enhances cauliflower productivity and curd size making it a suitable recommendation for farmers in the region.