Genotype and foliar fertilization affect growth, production and accumulation of anthocyanin in red Cabbage

ABSTRACT Foliar nutrient application could be used to improve plant nutrition status and be the fastest way to compensate for nutrient and soil fertility deficiency. Productivity and quality of red cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L. f. rubra) are affected by contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) which regulate enzymatic activity and enzymes mobilize carbon transformation into glucose. Use of red cabbage genotypes able to utilize nutrients efficiently is important in management of plant nutritional status. Five genotypes of red cabbage were chosen. The foliar spray rates, 0, 1, or 2 ml·L−1, of FoliartalⓇ were applied. The cv. Rio Grande treated with 2 ml∙L−1 FoliartalⓇ presented the most chlorophyll content (SPAD index = 68.73), highest leaf dry matter (17.82%), highest total soluble solids (9.55%), longest, widest and heaviest heads (35.83, 38.73 cm and 1.71 kg) respectively, most yield (71.45 t·ha−1) and highest head content of anthocyanin (611.52 mg/100 g). The cv. Mini plants given a 2 ml·L−1 FoliartalⓇ had the highest nitrate content in the head (57.12 mg·kg−1). The cv. Bordeaux treated with 2 mL∙L−1 FoliartalⓇ had the highest nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in heads (1.72, 0.59 and 4.56%), respectively. Foliar application of FoliartalⓇ, regardless of cultivar, improved vegetative growth, productivity and quality traits of red cabbage under field conditions.