Enhancing vegetative and root productions of four turnip genotypes through varied humic acid fertilizer levels

Abstract

Abstract. Ullah H, Kiran M, Haq F, Waseem K, Nadeem MA, Ghazanfarullah, Farid A, Aziz T. 2023. Enhancing vegetative and root productions of four turnip genotypes through varied humic acid fertilizer levels. Cell Biol Dev 7: 67-74. A meticulously designed pot experiment was conducted to investigate the intricate effects of varying Humic Acid (HA) fertilizer levels on the growth patterns of four distinct turnip genotypes. The trial encompassed an array of HA concentrations, from 0 to 120 Kg/ha, to discern their influence on the vegetative and root aspects of the turnip plants. The outcomes of this comprehensive study unveiled an undeniable impact of HA concentrations on virtually every facet of turnip growth and output. Notably, the pinnacle of performance across several critical parameters, including plant height, leaf area, canopy coverage, leaf count per plant, chlorophyll content in leaves, and both the fresh and dry weights of both leaves and roots, was achieved at the HA concentration of 60 kg/ha. Among the four turnip genotypes scrutinized, the Golden Bal genotype reacted favorably to the HA treatments. With a compelling total yield of 11.79 t/ha, the Golden Bal genotype emerged as a leader in productive response. A noteworthy revelation was the intricate interplay between the specific turnip genotypes and the HA concentrations employed. This interplay significantly affected numerous facets of vegetative development and yield-related attributes. The synergy observed between the moderate HA concentration of 60 Kg/ha and the Golden Bal genotype was particularly striking, resulting in a superior manifestation of various traits compared to alternate genotype-HA combinations. In essence, this research has effectively underscored the pivotal role of varying HA fertilizer levels in steering the trajectory of turnip production. The findings of this study bear valuable implications for optimizing agricultural practices to harness the full potential of turnip cultivation while emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of genotype-HA interactions in modern agronomic endeavors.