Response of Vegetative Growth and Yield of Two Hybrids of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) to Liquid Organic Fertilizer and Hefe Algae

Abstract

This research was conducted to evaluate the impact of liquid organic fertilizer and Hefe algae (seaweed) on various aspects of vegetative growth and yield in two hybrids of broccoli. The results revealed that the Agassi RZ hybrid outperformed the Wisdom hybrid in parameters such as leaf area (cm2), fresh leaf weight leaves (g), dry leaf weight (g), total yield (kg plant^-1), and total yield (t ha^-1). The foliar application of 3.0 and 6.0 ml L^-1 of organic fertilizer significantly enhanced all vegetative growth and yield parameters. Similarly, Hefe algae, particularly at a concentration of 8.0 ml L^-1, showed positive and significant effects on plant height (cm), number of leaves (leaves plant^-1), leaf area (cm²), fresh leaf weight (g), dry leaf weight (g), chlorophyll%, total yield (kg plant^-1), and total yield (t ha^-1). The combined influence of two factors, namely hybrids and organic fertilizer, hybrids and Hefe algae, and organic fertilizer and Hefe algae, had a significant impact on all vegetative growth and yield parameters. Notably, the interaction among Agassi RZ hybrid, 6.0 ml L^-1 organic fertilizer, and 8.0 ml L^-1 Hefe algae exhibited the most substantial effects, resulting in the highest plant height (cm), number of leaves (leaves plant^-1), fresh leaf weight (g), dry leaf weight (g), total yield (kg plant^-1), and total yield (t ha^-1).