Re: Vam and boron

[Robin Duchesneau]

Dorothy,   Perhaps it would be wise to consider finding the source of the problem and a long-term solution rather then a quick fix (a.k.a. adding an external fertilizer source).   Here is a few items for you to ponder.   First why is your soil low on boron?   1. It's been shown that Alkaline soil conditions (pH > 7) limit the availability of iron, zinc, manganese and BORON.  How is your pH doing?   2. Most plant available boron (B) is derived from the organic matter and minerals.  Because boron is water soluble, it can be leached into the subsoil beyond the reach of root tips.  How is your soil porosity and organic content input?   3. Boron is also linked to Calcium levels.   Is your low boron a serious problem?   1. Boron is involved in the uptake of calcium and is essential for fruiting (note: other unknown effects too?!).  Boron deficiency causes a breakdown of the growing tips tissue or a softening of the terminal growth.  Internal tissues of beets, turnips, and rutabagas show breakdown and  corky, dark discoloration.  What is it exactly that you've observed on your crops?   Correcting Boron Deficiency The boron recommendations for soil applications are 1.5 to 3 pounds for highly responsive crops and 0.5 to 1 pound per acre for medium responsive crops. Occasionally, certain deficient soils may require up to 5 pounds of boron per acre for cauliflower and table beets. The suggested rate for foliage application is 0.3 pound of boron per acre in 30 gallons of water for highly responsive crops and 0.1 pound for low to medium responsive crops. The boron carrier most frequently used in fertilizer is sodium borate, which ranges from 10 to 20 percent boron. "Solubor" is a trade name for a sodium borate that is 20.5 percent boron. This compound is commonly used in foliar sprays or in liquid fertilizers. Because boron is fairly mobile in soils, several methods of application can be used. Boron may be mixed with regular N-P-K fertilizer, applied separately on the soil, sprayed on the plant, topdressed (for alfalfa) or sidedressed (for row crops). Be sure to mix completely when boron is combined with other fertilizers. Segregation due to particle size differences is often a problem. Boron should never be used in combination seedings containing legumes and grass or small grains because it will injure the grass or small grains. Boron for the legume should be topdressed after the grass has become well established or the small grain companion crop has been harvested. Be careful when banding fertilizers containing boron near the seed or plants. Too much boron near the seed or plant may be toxic to young plants or germinating seeds.   Good luck       ----- Original Message ----- From: Dorothy O'Brien To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: June 27, 2002 10:50 AM Subject: Re: Vam and boron Hugh and others-- Our soils test consistently low on boron.  How would you go about adding boron?  A couple of people have suggested spraying diluted borax but I am concerned the other ingredients of borax would not be considered organic.   Plus, I can't tell from the borax box what the other ingredients are.  Thanks, Dorothy  __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com