Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):120-130 | DOI: 10.17221/16/2024-HORTSCI

Influence of phosphite and phosphate fertilizers at three different pH levels under floating system on the growth, yield, and nutrient concentration of broccoliOriginal Paper

Amin Jahanian1, Seyed Jalal Tabatabaei2, Nosratollah Najafi3, Martina Bučková4, Farzad Rasouli5, Jiří Mlček4, Sezai Ercisli6
1 Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
2 Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Shaded University, Tehran, Iran
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran3
4 Department of Analysis and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Technology, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Zlin, Czech Republic
5 Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Maragheh, Iran
6 Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey

This study was conducted to determine the effects of phosphite and phosphate fertilisers on broccoli’s yield, growth, and nutritional status (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica cv. ‘Fiorentino’). In factorial combinations, experiments were conducted at three pH levels (5.5, 7.0, and 8.5) and three phosphorus source levels [Pi (phosphate), Phi (phosphite), and Pi + Phi]. Phi had a statistically significant negative effect on yield, producing immature and button-like flower heads. Decreases in chlorophyll index, Fv/Fm [ratio of variable fluorescence (Fv) to maximum fluorescence (Fm)], and leaf area were observed using the Phi treatment. These results indicate that fertilisation with Phi alone did not affect plant growth and yield. P (phosphorus) and K (potassium) concentrations in plants were increased by root fertilisation with Phi (floating system), but did not affect growth characteristics; increased Pi uptake in Phi-treated plants increased P and K concentrations in the sink source, resulting in reduced growth, phytotoxicity, and no head formation. While it may appear that Phi is upsetting the balance of solution nutrients and stressing the plants, the Phi-induced stress condition was identified by measuring proline levels and electrolyte leakage. Thus, phosphite could not be used as a P source for plants. However, Phi could be used as a plant nutrient source combined with conventional Pi fertilisers.

Keywords: accumulation; head formation; proline; toxicity; uptake

Received: January 23, 2024; Revised: August 29, 2024; Accepted: September 30, 2024; Prepublished online: September 30, 2024; Published: June 26, 2025  Show citation

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Jahanian A, Tabatabaei SJ, Najafi N, Bučková M, Rasouli F, Mlček J, Ercisli S. Influence of phosphite and phosphate fertilizers at three different pH levels under floating system on the growth, yield, and nutrient concentration of broccoli. Hort. Sci. (Prague). 2025;52(2):120-130. doi: 10.17221/16/2024-HORTSCI.
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