Response of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) to soil and foliar application of boron in a vertisol

Abstract

A field investigation was performed to know the response of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) to soil and foliarapplication of boron in a vertisol during rabi 2022 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra at University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad.The experiment was laid out under RCBD design with thirteen treatments and replicated thrice. The treatments included wereabsolute control, RPP, soil (1, 1.5 and 2 kg ha-1) and foliar application (0.1% and 0.2%) of boron and their combinations. Theresults revealed that a significant higher seed yield of 1603 kg ha-1 and haulm yield (3491 kg ha-1)was recorded with RPP + soilapplication of boron @ 2 kg ha-1 + foliar spray of boron @ 0.2% along with significantly increase in plant height, number ofbranches per plant, dry matter production, number of capitulum plant-1, weight of capitulum per plant and test weight. Atharvest, soil available N, P, K, S and B were also higher in the above said treatment. However, benefit cost ratio was found tobe higher in treatment which received soil application of boron @ 1.5 kg ha-1 + foliar spray of boron @ 0.1% along