Australia

Improving Crop Health

Australian agriculture has become increasingly diversified, and the continent’s large expanses of arable land have helped it to become a leading world exporter of grains, predominantly wheat and barley, along with wool and beef. Other important crops include oats, maize, oilseeds (canola, sunflowers, soybeans, and peanuts), grain legumes (lupins and chick peas), sugarcane, cotton, fruits, grapes, tobacco, and vegetables. Even though only about 6% of Australia’s land is suitable for crops and pasture, a considerable amount is suitable for cattle grazing.

Boron deficiency was first documented in Australia in the 1930s in apple trees growing in Tasmania and New South Wales. In subsequent years, low boron levels were also discovered in a wide range of pasture and crop plants across the continent. Australia enjoys a lower rate of boron deficiency than some other parts of the world, yet boron deficiency is prevalent on the west coast where soil tends to be dry and sandy or volcanic. Along with periods of heavy rainfall, these soil conditions can cause leaching, creating the need for refined boron supplementation.

Featured Regional Crops

Almond
When almond trees are deficient in boron, the young branches die back from the tip, and the development of shoots from near the base of the branch gives a “witch’s broom” effect.
Read More
Barley
Small chlorotic spots form between the veins of the youngest unfolded leaves. The spots enlarge and coalesce to form the characteristic white stripes. The stripes do not develop on mature leaves.
Read More
Canola
Canola, like all its relatives in the Brassica family, has a very high boron requirement and is severely affected by boron deficiency.
Read More

Improve Soil Conditions with Boron Supplementation

Even in areas with minimum boron deficiency, correctly applying refined boron can help boost the quality and yield of many of Australia’s most valuable crops. Boron deficiency is most likely to impact broadleaf crops such as lupin and canola. Other crops with higher boron requirements, such as sunflowers, rapeseed, cauliflower and apples, respond well to boron. Pine trees, which are commonly used in tree lots and as windbreaks, also require high amounts of boron to prevent damage.

Calculate Your ROI

Step 1: Choose your Crop

Crop Group
Crop

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 CookiesCCPA
Cookie Preferences