Influence of micronutrients on yield and quality of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck) under open condition

A field experiment entitled “Effect of micronutrients on growth, yield and quality of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.) under open condition” was conducted during rabi 2024-25 at the Main Agricultural Research Station, UAS, Dharwad, to study the influence of boron, molybdenum and zinc on broccoli performance. The experiment consisted of 13 treatments with individual and combined applications of Borax (5, 10, 15 kg ha⁻¹), Ammonium molybdate (1.0, 1.5, 2.0 kg ha⁻¹) and Zinc sulfate (5, 10, 15 kg ha⁻¹) arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. Results indicated that the combined application of Borax @ 15 kg ha⁻¹ + Ammonium molybdate @ 2 kg ha⁻¹ + Zinc sulfate @ 15 kg ha⁻¹ (T₁₃) significantly enhanced growth, yield and quality attributes over the control. T₁₃ recorded the maximum curd weight (2.31 kg), curd length (15.70 cm), curd circumference (22.99 cm), number of sprouts per curd (4.9), marketable curd yield (514 g), net curd weight (462 g), curd yield per plot (10.16 kg) and curd yield per ha (47.04 t ha⁻¹) and superior biochemical quality with higher TSS (7.52 °Brix), ascorbic acid (85.30 mg/g), phenol (86.30 mg/100 g), non-reducing sugar (2.16%), total sugar (4.75%), reducing sugar (2.58%), protein (18.31%), carotene (3.44 mg/100 g) and carbohydrate (5.51%). The improvement was attributed to the synergistic role of micronutrients in enhancing nutrient uptake, photosynthesis, enzyme activity and assimilate partitioning. Thus, integrated micronutrient application proved effective in improving both yield and nutritional quality, making it a viable strategy for sustainable broccoli production under open field conditions.