The hollow stem in cauliflower causes damages to producers. Nitrogen and boron are related to this physiological disorder but few studies were performed at tropical conditions. The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the effects of N and B applications and interaction between these nutrients on yield and hollow stem on cauliflower Shiromaru III, cultivated on soil of Ribeirão Preto region during the period from July to September of 2003. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design in a factorial scheme (3 x 3) with three rates of nitrogen (120, 180 and 240 kg ha-1 N) and three rates of boron (2, 4 and 6 kg ha-1 B) and four replicates. The total yield and head weight were not influenced by B and N applications. Hollow stem incidence was influenced by N fertilization, where applications of 180 and 240 kg ha-1 reduced the disorder in 9.03 and 11.72%, respectively.
Brassica oleracea; soil; nutritional disorder
