Biofortification through foliar micronutrient application affects yield, nutritional quality and economic returns in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.)

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Published

2026-06-30

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58993/ijh/2026.83.2.4

Keywords:

Cabbage, micronutrients, , foliar nutrition, agronomic biofortification, yield, quality, economics
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Issue

Vol. 83 No. 02 (2026): Indian Journal of Horticulture

Section

Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Imamsaheb S. J., Raveendra S. J., Hanchinamani C. N., Patil A. G.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Authors

  • Imamsaheb S. J. Head, AICRP Tuber Crops, Regional Horticultural Research and Extension Centre, Dharwad 580005, Karnataka, India
  • Raveendra S. J. Special officer Seed Unit, UHS, Bagalkot
  • Hanchinamani C. N. Dean, College of Horticulture, Mysore,
  • Patil A. G. Professor of Agronomy, MHREC, UHS, Bagalkot College of Horticulture, Bagalkot, UHS, Bagalkot (Karnataka), India.

Abstract

Cabbage though nutritionally rich, often lacks adequate micronutrient enrichment under conventional
cultivation. A field experiment conducted during rabi 2020 and 2021 at the College of Horticulture, Bidar (UHS
Bagalkot), evaluated foliar application of ZnSO4, FeSO4, MgSO4 and calcium nitrate under a Randomized Complete
Block Design (11 treatments, 3 replications). Micronutrients were applied individually and in combinations at 30,
45 and 60 days after transplanting along with recommended fertilizers. Results showed significant improvements
in growth, yield, quality and economic returns. The combined application of ZnSO4 + FeSO4 + MgSO4 + calcium
nitrate at lower concentrations (T9) recorded the highest head yield (32.41 t ha-¹), vitamin C (35.17 mg 100 g-¹),
protein (5.57%) and net returns (₹1.27 lakh ha-¹). Among individual treatments, FeSO4 at 1% (T6) produced
superior yield (27.13 t ha-¹). The study confirms that foliar-based agronomic biofortification effectively enhances
productivity, nutritional quality and profitability of cabbage.

How to Cite

S. J., I., S. J., R., C. N., H., & A. G., P. (2026). Biofortification through foliar micronutrient application affects yield, nutritional quality and economic returns in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.). Indian Journal of Horticulture, 83(02), 153–160. https://doi.org/10.58993/ijh/2026.83.2.4

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