Abstract
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) is an annual herbaceous plant that is widely consumed due to its high nutraceutical potential. To improve crop development, it is necessary to determine an adequate supply of nutrients, both in terms of quantity and balance. Additionally, the use of phytohormone-based biostimulants is proving promising for increasing plant growth. Here, we aimed to determine the ideal ratio of nitrogen (N) to potassium (K) and the effect of biostimulants on broccoli plants. Broccoli plants were cultivated by fertilization with four N:K ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 3:1) and five doses of a plant phytohormone-based biostimulant (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2 mL L−1). At 90 days of culture, plant height; stem diameter; leaf number; leaf area; fresh and dry mass of stems, leaves, and inflorescences; organ mass fraction; chlorophyll content; and gas exchange were assessed. The experiment was completely randomized in a factorial scheme of 4 × 5 (N:K × doses of biostimulant) with eight replications, each composed of a pot with one plant. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means were compared using Tukey’s test (P ≤ 0.05). Fertilization with 1:1, 1:2, and 3:1 N:K resulted in higher inflorescence fresh masses, indicating that these ratios are appropriate for broccoli production, regardless of the biostimulant dose. The 1:2 N:K ratio was optimal for broccoli inflorescence production and plant architecture, independently of the biostimulant. These findings support fertilization programs aimed at increasing broccoli production.
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Acknowledgements
We thank the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Research Support Foundation of the State of Paraíba (FAPESQ), and Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) for the scholarships granted to students. We would like to thank Editage (www.editage.com) for English language editing.
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This study was funded by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brazil, Research Support Foundation of the State of Paraíba, Federal University of Paraíba (FAPESQ/UFPB), and Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).
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Letícia Waléria Oliveira dos Santos and Thiago Jardelino Dias designed the study. Letícia Waléria Oliveira dos Santos, João Everthon da Silva Ribeiro, Adriano Salviano Lopes, Vitor Araújo Targino, Antônio Pereira dos Anjos Neto, Vanessa de Azevedo Soares, and Juliane Maciel Henschel conducted the experiments. Letícia Waléria Oliveira dos Santos, Juliane Maciel Henschel, Diego Silva Batista, and Thiago Jardelino Dias collected and analyzed the data. Letícia Waléria Oliveira dos Santos, Juliane Maciel Henschel, Diego Silva Batista, João Everthon da Silva Ribeiro, and Thiago Jardelino Dias contributed to the design and interpretation of the study and the writing of the paper. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
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dos Santos, L.W.O., da Silva Ribeiro, J.E., Lopes, A.S. et al. Effect of Nitrogen:Potassium Fertilization Ratios and Biostimulant Application on Broccoli Plants. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 22, 4857–4867 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-022-00965-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-022-00965-y