Boron and U.S. Borax › What is boron?

What is Boron?

Boron (B) is a nonmetallic chemical element (atomic number 5 on the periodic table). It only occurs naturally in compounds called borate minerals—deposits of which are found in the Earth's crust. These minerals are what we mine in Boron, California.

As a micronutrient, boron is essential to plant growth. Adequate boron is necessary for proper absorption of macronutrients and for maintaining the integrity of plant cell walls.

Boron deficiencies are common in agriculture. Factors that can reduce the amount of boron available to crops include:

Overfarming
Extremely hot or cold conditions
Drought
Excess rain or irrigation
Sandy soils

Hence, boron supplementation via fertilization is imperative for growers around the world.

Dig Deeper

Healthy crop growth depends on the right nutrients in soil. Soil needs macronutrients—elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium—but they are only one piece of the puzzle. Just as important are micronutrients, such as iron, copper, zinc—and boron.

Boron: The micronutrient that maximizes crop yield

A boron deficiency prevents absorption of essential macronutrients.

Refined borate fertilizer allows plants to get maximum benefits from the nutrients farmers add.

Understanding the interplay of macro- and micronutrients is important when choosing products and agricultural practices. By understanding boron’s role in soil and plant health, you increase your ability to give soil the nutrition it needs to produce high yields of high-quality crops. Liebig’s Law of the Minimum says that yield is proportional to the amount of the most limiting nutrient. That means a boron deficiency can limit yield, even when sufficient macronutrients are applied to the soil. Proper application of supplemental boron can have a direct and significant impact on soil and crop nutrition.