BLOG

Boron deficiency: Start with your soil

:: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 :: Posted By Fabiano Silvestrin

Boron deficiency is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies in agriculture. If left undetected and untreated, it can wreak havoc on your crops and devastate overall harvest yields. However, boron deficiency causes, symptoms, and treatment methods are well-documented. Understanding more about this common ailment will set you up for quality yields.

What causes boron deficiency?

For healthy crops, the ideal range of boron concentration in soil is between 0.5mg/kg and 4 mg/kg.

From where your farm is located to the type of soil you have, many factors can affect boron levels. Some or all of these factors may apply to you:

  • Water: Boron is water soluble, so if your farm receives excessive rainfall or is over-irrigated, the abundance of water may carry the essential boron away with it.
  • pH level: Depending on the pH level of the soil, boron may not be present in a high enough concentration—neutral to slightly acidic soils are best for holding onto boron.
  • Organic matter: The more organic matter available in the soil, the more likely that boron will be present. The presence of organic matter also helps retain boron, reducing its loss if excess water is a problem.
  • Moisture: If the farmed soil lacks moisture or contains high levels of clay (which restricts water movement), it makes it difficult for the plant to take up boron through its roots, leaving it starved of essential boron.
  • Presence of other nutrients: Excess calcium or a lack of nitrogen may also impact a plant’s ability to absorb boron efficiently.

What does boron deficient soil look like?

Unfortunately, there is no visual clue in your soil to tell if it needs boron. But your crops will show symptoms of boron deficiency. If you’re unsure whether your soil and crop are suffering from boron deficiency, familiarize yourself with the most common symptoms. A comprehensive list of crops and associated symptoms can be found in our crop guides.

Does your soil have a boron deficiency?

If you have reason to believe that your soil and crops suffer from boron deficiency, contact your local crop consultant or soil specialist, and ask for a soil test to determine the level of deficiency. If the test indicates a need for a boron supplement, your crop consultant or soil specialist should also be able to recommend the right amount of boron and the right blend of nutrients to correct your problem.

An agriculture expert will also know how certain elements and nutrients interact with one another in order to ensure the proper uptake occurs for your plants.

Although boron deficiency is the second most prevalent micronutrient deficiency, it also means that many growers have had experience working through the challenges it presents. As such, solutions exist to test, mitigate, and ultimately treat plants and fields suffering from boron deficiency. With a solid understanding of the requirements of your crops and soil and the right application of nutrient supplements, you can maintain a healthy balance of boron in your plants—and maximize your yields year after year.

Contact us

If you still have questions about boron deficiency and the products needed for your particular situation, please contact one of our regional representatives. We’re happy to help!

 

Resources

Categories

 soil science

U.S. Borax, part of Rio Tinto, is a global leader in the supply and science of borates—naturally-occurring minerals containing boron and other elements. We are 1,000 people serving 650 customers with more than 1,800 delivery locations globally. We supply around 30% of the world’s need for refined borates from our world-class mine in Boron, California, about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Learn more about Rio Tinto.

Copyright © 2024 Rio Tinto. All Rights Reserved.
Terms and Conditions Privacy and CookiesModern slavery statement
Cookie Preferences