Interaction Effect of Lime and Boron on Cabbage-Okra Cropping System in Boron Difficient Acidic Laterite Soils of Bhubaneswar

A field experiment was conducted in the lateritic soils of Bhubaneswar to study the effect of lime and boron on yield and nutrient content of cabbage. The results revealed that liming and boron (B) application has significant effect on cabbage yield, which varied between 39.9 to 62. t ha^-1. Highest significant yield of 62.11 t ha-1 was obtained with 0.2 lime requirement (LR) + B @ 2 kg ha^-1). The yield of cabbage increased with levels of lime up to 0.2 LR but thereafter it declined at 0.3 LR. With application of lime the cabbage yield was increased by 21 to 31% over control (L₀B₀) at 0.1 LR to 0.2 LR. With application of B there was increase in yield by 16 and 22 % over control at boron 1 kg (B₁) and boron 2 (B₂) kg levels, respectively although the yield at B₁ and B₂ were non-significant. With application of lime the pH of the post-harvest soil increased. On the other hand with application of B the pH was decreased as compared to no B treatment. The available B content in post harvest soil was decreased in B₀ treatments. The quality parameters like protein, ascorbic acid and carbohydrate content of cabbage were increased with increasing levels of B and lime. After harvest of the cabbage, okra was grown in residual lime and boron. Recommended dose of chemical fertilizer was applied to all treatments. There was difference in the pod yield due to residual effect of lime and boron. The pod yield was increased by 5-10% under residual lime and 2-6% under residual B treatment over L₀B₀. cabbage responded to lime and B application. There was synergistic effect of lime x boron on cabbage, which was found significant and promising. Liming @ 0.2 LR and B @ 2 kg/ha increased cabbage yield by 31% over control. The yield of succeeding okra crop increased by 5-10% under residual lime and 2-6% under residual B treatment over L₀B₀.