EFFECTS OF METHOD AND RATE OF APPLICATION OF NITROGEN ON YIELD AND LEAF TISSUE COMPOSITION OF BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Factorial experiments were conducted at three locations to investigate the effects of band and broadcast applications of N, with and without top-dress treatments, on the yield and leaf tissue composition of Brussels sprouts. Band applications of N resulted in greater marketable yields than broadcast applications at equal rates of N. Where the application was split, a top-dress treatment of N increased yields following a broadcast application but was of no benefit following a band application. Banding versus broadcasting and top-dressing versus no top-dressing resulted in higher tissue-N levels at all locations and higher tissue-P levels at two of the three locations. Tissue-N and -P levels also increased as the rate of applied N increased. The treatments had almost no effect on tissue-K content.