Olive

{Olea europaea}

Boron Deficiency in Olives

Native to the Mediterranean region, tropical and central Asia, and various parts of Africa, olives require a long, hot growing season to properly ripen the fruit, no late spring frosts to kill the blossoms, and sufficient winter chill to insure fruit set. Olives are also grown commercially in California, Australia, and South Africa.

Olives will grow and produce fruit even on extraordinarily poor, stony soils, yet they respond to fertilizers.

Boron is a crucial trace element for olive trees. Fertilizing olive trees with adequate boron is necessary for:

  • Flower formation
  • Fruit set
  • Quality olive oil
  • Stable olive oil

Boron deficiency makes leaves fall and branches die in the upper parts of the tree. Secondary shoots develop at the base of the dieback, and the number of suckers in the lower part of the trunk increases.

The leaves show a distinct apical browning which can extend up to two-thirds of the leaf while the rest of the leaf remains a normal green color. Subsequently, the leaves may become completely yellow and later turn a leathery brown from the apex. In cases of mild boron deficiency, some fruit may ripen normally but most will drop prematurely or become deformed and corky. As the boron deficiency becomes more severe, the olive tree will become increasingly less productive and may ultimately die.

Spotting Boron Deficiency in Olive Trees

Boron benefits

Boron can benefit your olive crop by:

  • Increasing crop yield
  • Increasing fruit set
  • Improving quality of the fruits
  • Preventing dieback
  • Improving the root system
  • Better resistance to dry conditions

Your boron fertilizer options

Boron supplementation should be included on gravels, sands, and on all soils containing less than 0.5 ppm of boron.

Small amounts of boron fertilizers, such as a foliar application of 20 to 30 grams per tree, can significantly boost olive yields. The critical limit of leaf boron is:

  • Deficient: <19 ppm B
  • Low: 20-30 ppm B
  • Normal: 30-150 ppm B

Solubor® allows you the most flexibility in applying boron fertilizers to olive trees. It can be dissolved alone in water, in liquid fertilizers and/or pesticides, and then applied to the soil or directly onto the foliage.*



*Foliar sprays should not exceed 0.5 lbs/acre of boron per application.

U.S Borax Products for Olive Trees

15% Boron |  | OMRI Certified
Fertibor
Optimum product for suspensions

A fine crystalline borate ideal for NPK compound fertilizers and suspensions. Manufactured as free-flowing granules, Fertibor is easily handled and offers superior flow and consistency.

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15% Boron |  | OMRI Certified
Granubor
Made especially for bulk blenders

A pure, 100% water-soluble micronutrient that meets boron demand during the growing season. Made especially for bulk blenders, Granubor helps to ensure uniform distribution in nutritional blends and in the field.

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20.5% Boron |  | OMRI Certified
Solubor
Product of choice for foliar applications

A concentrated, highly soluble, and fast dissolving powder that is ideal for foliar and other sprays. With the highest concentration of boron in any approved product, Solubor is an economical choice for nutritional formulations.

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20.8% Boron
Anhybor
Boron for fertilizer manufacturing

This refined U.S. Borax product is made from the dehydration and fusion of borax. Depending on the grade, Anhybor can be used to produce boron-enriched compound fertilizers or to coat different fertilizer products, such as NPK blends with the aid of a binder.

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10% Boron
Solubor Flow
For fertigation or hydroponic growing

First and only aqueous suspension of sodium borate microcrystals.

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14.5% Boron | 29% Zinc
Zincubor
Perfect combination of zinc and boron

Because zinc and boron deficiency are widespread around the world, a product with both nutrients is a good fit in many regions. Zincubor brings these two important micronutrients together in one product.

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Calculate your ROI

Soil Application (Suggested rates of application)

  Granubor Fertibor
LBS/ACRE 6.25 - 12.5 6.25 - 12.5
KG/HA 14.0 - 35 14.0 - 35

Foliar Application (Suggested rates of application)

  Solubor
LBS/ACRE 5
KG/HA 5.6
Value in Use
Product
Acreage
Current Yield (Per Acre)
Lbs
Expected Sale Price

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.

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