Influence of manganese and sulphur fertilization on the mineral composition of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var Italica)

Broccoli is a hardy vegetable that develops best during cool seasons of the year. For efficient growth, broccoli has a moderate to high fertility requirement. Sulphur deficiency is known to occur in brassica crops and Mn deficiency and toxicity has also been observed in these plants. Mn functions primarily as part of enzyme systems in plants. It activates several important metabolic reactions and plays a direct role in photosynthesis by aiding chlorophyll synthesis. However, insufficient information is available on the mineral content of this product and how fertilization might influence it. For this purpose, a greenhouse experiment was conducted in Konya to evaluate the influence of different Mn and S fertilizer doses on the productivity and element content of broccoli. The influence of Mn and S (0-0,3- 0,6- 1,2- 2,4 kg Mn /da and 0-4-8 kg S/da applications) on the mineral content of broccoli sprouts (Brassica oleraceae var. italica cv.) was determined in this study. In the experiment carried out under controlled conditions, plant height, leaf surface area and plant shoot fresh weight were determined in the plants. After the harvest yield, mineral concentrations (S, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, P, K, Ca, Mg, N) of broccoli plants were analyzed. S and Mn applications had positive effects on shoot fresh yield and especially at the dose of 8 kg S/da application significantly increased shoot fresh yield (P<0.05), plant Ca, Mg, K, P, S, Na, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B contents, and the amount of S and Mn uptake by shoot from the soil (P<0.01).