Boron nutrient deficiency in plants
Advanced stage boron deficiency in grape, with interveinal chlorosis and necrosis. Source: APS Digital Image Collections.
Form
taken up as ionic BO3-, Boron plays a central role in a wide range of cellular activities.
Function
Boron is involved in the formation, germination and development of pollen, affecting flowering and seed or fruit set. Boron is also involved in plant functions such as maturation, respiration and cell division. Linked to Calcium uptake, Boron plays a major role in the formation of starch in seed, tubers and fruit.
Symptoms
Boron nutrient deficiency affects younger tissue, particularly active growing points of shoot, root, flower and fruit. Plants display a bronzed appearance. Often associated with low Calcium status, plants suffer from slow growth and poor or irregular expansion of tissue at the growing points.
Symptoms of boron deficiency in papaya of various ages. Source: APS Digital Image Collections.
Significance
Boron stress reduces flowering response and pollination, leading to reduced seed, tuber or fruit set. Maturation is delayed and starch accumulation is reduced, leading to slower development and greater risk of internal problems in seed and fruit. Boron nutrient deficiency is often associated with reduced tolerance to drought and heat stress, low Brix and increased disease pressure.
Actions
Check soil status and root development for compaction. Routine foliar fertilizer treatment can be very effective, especially during the early stages of plant development and times of stress.
If you require any further information about deficiency problems or any of our products please get in touch ????
Related Posts
Blueberry – Supercharged calcium for a super fruit
February 19th 2021 02:51 pm[caption id="attachment_12553" align="alignleft" width="700"] Blueberry cultivation and production without using chemical fungicide is now a reality.[/caption] Latest on blueberry cultivation from Dr Terry Mabbett. Cultivated blueberry is very much a 20th-century phenomenon. Before the early 1900’s the only way to enjoy the North American native bush fruit was to gather them in the wild. The r... Continue reading boron
How do you like your coffee?
July 14th 2020 08:22 amProvision of the right nutrient at the right time for coffee is one of the most complex crop fertilization programmes facing tropical farmers and growers. The primary purpose of classic fertiliser programmes is to furnish and fulfil the nutrient needs of coffee plants as they graduate from the nursery into the field to achieve maturity and the first full crop of coffee berries. And from there o... Continue reading boron
