Impact of foliar spraying with iron and magnesium on growth, yield, chemical constituents and storability of broccoli

This study were carried out during the winter season of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 at the Agriculture Research Farm, El-Kassasien  Hort. Res. Station, Ismalia Governorate, Egypt, in sandy texture soil and the laboratory of the vegetable handling department, to study the effect of foliar spray with iron (Fe) and magnesium (Mg) i.e. Fe at 50 and 100 ppm, Mg at 0.5 and 1.0 %, Fe at 50 ppm + Mg at 0.5 %, Fe at 50 ppm + Mg at 1.0 %, Fe at 100 ppm + Mg at 0.5 % and Fe at 100 ppm + Mg at 1.0 % as well as the Control on growth, yield, chemicalconstituents, and storability of broccoli Sakura F₁ hybrid (Brassica oleracea var. italica), grown under sandy soil conditions using drip irrigation system. Spraying broccoli plants with Fe at 100ppm plus Mg at 0.5% or 1.0% significantly increased all the studied vegetative growth traits compared with other tested treatments with non significant differences between them. Significant increases in the yield and its components and chemical constituents of broccoli florets[Fe (ppm), Mg (ppm), nitrogen and protein %] were recorded by foliar application of Fe at 100ppm plus Mg at 0.5% or 1.0% with non significant differences between them. Regarding quality parameters of broccoli floretsduring storage at 5°C and 90-95% RH for 15 days, results showed that visual appearance, ascorbic acid content and external color of broccoli floretsweredecreased as the storage period increased. Broccoli floretsobtained from plants treated with Fe at 100ppm plus Mg at 0.5% or 1.0% exhibited acceptable appearance, fresh green color floretsand higher ascorbic acid (vit. C.) content during storage as compared with the control or other treatments.