EFFECTS OF BROCCOLI-CROPPED SOIL ON THE GROWTH OF BROCCOLI, CABBAGE, AND CAULIFLOWER

Broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower were grown in the greenhouse on fallowed soil (FS) or on soil previously cropped with broccoli CBS) for three years. Fertilization levels (kg/ha) were none, 67N-22P, and 135N-44P. Inhibition of root and shoot growth components, and leaf color was evaluated at 30, 44, 58, and 72 days after seeding. Shoot and root growth of cauliflower, grown on BS, progressively declined over time, while that of broccoli and cabbage either increased or remained unaffected. Application of fertilizer (67N-22P) improved the shoot growth of cabbage but did not alleviate the symptoms associated with allelopathy, i.e., stunted growth, leaf chlorosis, reduced leaf area, observed in cauliflower. Whole plant extract of broccoli decreased percent germination of cauliflower, and reduced the speed of germination of all three test crops in the order of cauliflower>broccoli>cabbage.