Experimental site: The experiment was carried out at farmer’s field in two villages (Tulatuli and Gabura) under Chandina, Cumilla of Bangladesh during 2012–13. Chandina soil series under Non-Calcareous Dark Gray Floodplain soil type was identified in the experimental field. Crops, variety, and treatments used: The varieties used were Snow White for cauliflower, Joi Kishan for maize and BRRI dhan48 for transplant aus rice. The treatments were grouped in a manner so that effects of 1-crop, 2-crop and 3-crop application of Zn and B on the crops would be known. The field was sub-divided into three blocks having 10 sub-plots in each block in randomized complete block design. The layout was kept undisturbed until completion of 3-crop cycle. In the pattern, the first crop received four zinc doses(0, 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 kg ha−1) and three boron doses (0, 1.5, and 3.0 kg ha−1) comprising four treatment combinations: T1(Zn0B0), T2 (Zn2B1.5), T3(Zn4B1.5), and T4(Zn6B3). To accommodate additional treatments for second and third crops, T2was applied in six sub-plots while T3in two sub-plots in each replication. In second crop, two additional treatments receiving 2.0 kg Zn ha−1, and 2.0 kg Zn + 1.5 kg B ha−1 were added under T2, while in the third crop, other four treatments were added with further application of 2.0 kg Zn ha−1. Hence, the number of treatments for the first, second and third crops were 4, 6 and 10, respectively . Here, two new treatments in second crop and four in the third crop were introduced to justify the impact of direct, residual as well as cumulative application of zinc and boron on the crops under a cropping pattern. Zinc and boron were added as ZnSO4.7H2O and H3BO3, respectively. Other nutrients viz. N, P, K, and S were used equally at recommended rates for all plots. The rates of N, P, K, and S for cauliflower were 122,50, 135, and 22 kg ha−1; for maize 180, 30, 84, and 22 kg ha−1; for aus rice 71, 10, 30, and 10 kg ha−1, respectively. The fertilizer doses other than micronutrients were rationalized for the second and third crops, as outlined in the Fertilizer Recommendation Guide published by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) (FRG2005). Recording data: The crops were harvested at edible stage or full maturity. Six square meter area in each plot was harvested to record curd/grain and stover/straw yield. The grain yield was adjusted to 14% moisture content for maize and rice. Weights of marketable curd of cauliflower were taken just after harvest. Total system productivity Total system productivity for each treatment used in the cauliflower-maize-transplant aus rice pattern were calculated as the total annual productivity (annual curd yield of cauliflower plus annual grain yield of maize and transplant aus rice) based on equivalent yields. Here, transplant aus rice grain equivalent yield for cauliflower curd was calculated by multiplying the cauliflower curd yield with its unit market price and then dividing the resultant amount by unit price of rice grain. Similarly, equivalent yield for maize grain was calculated. The unit price of cauliflower curd, maize grain and rice grain was considered as 5, 10, and 15 Tk kg−1, respectively. Collection and preparation of plant samples for chemical analysis: Plant samples (curd/grain and stover/straw) were collected at the time of harvesting. The stover/straw samples were immediately air dried and chopped off into smaller pieces. The samples were then oven dried at 65°C for 24 h. To obtain homogenous powder, the samples were finely ground by using a grinding-mill to pass through a 60-mesh sieve. The processed plant samples were chemically analyzed for determination of N, P, K, S, Zn, and B concentrations.