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ABSTRACT
'Emperor' broccoli (Brassica oleraceae L. var. italica) was grown in the fall of 1996 at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, MD and at the Kentland Agricultural Research Farm, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA. The objective was to determine the N requirements of broccoli grown in a no-till production system in which mulches from cover crops provided part of the N. The mulch treatments included cover crops of forage soybean (Glycine max L.), foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.P. Beauv), and a combination of soybean and millet, as compared with the conventional clean cultivation production system. Supplemental N (ammonium nitrate from commercial fertilizer) was applied to all mulch treatments at 0, 112, and 224 kg.ha−1. Cover crop biomass ranged from 3.6 to 5.2 t.ha−1 with N content of 10 kg.t−1 for millet to 28 kg.t−1 for soybean. The cover crops provided only part of the N required by the broccoli crop. Yield and head mass increased with additional N application from commercial fertilizer up to 224 kg.ha−1. Under deficient N conditions, there was a preferential N mobilization to the head first and then to the leaves. Estimated N distribution in the plant among the head, leaves, stem, and roots was 22, 58, 6, and 14%, respectively. The mulch provided part of the N requirement, increased organic matter, and prevented soil erosion.