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Glen and all BD'ers,
More about the subject of Boron....
To answer the question: "What is a normal Boron
Level?"
I would have to answer a simple, but yet BORing (...note the
pun here...) answer: BORON is "SPECIES SPECIFIC", and that includes
not only plants, but soil microfauna. In other words, plants and
microorganism have different levels of tolerance to boron. And... to
add insult to injury... I believe that modern scientific understanding is
incomplete and that in reality we probably know VERY LITTLE about the impact of
Boron on life forces. Just measuring Boron is quite the
task!!! Where does one sample? Soil solution?
Organic forms or inorganic? What soil depth? How about spatial and
temporal variability?
I try to keep up with current knowledge but this one is a
tuffy.
Sorry... I do not know what NORMAL is...
Perhaps we need to start a database of various research
results per species, soil types... and biodynamic effects and
causes...
later,
Robin
----- Original Message -----
Sent: June 27, 2002 7:07 PM
Subject: Re: Vam and boron
Here in NZ we are allowed (by org. certifier) around 10kgs of
Borax per
ha per annum and in our 6 pH soils this appears to have a very
minimal
influence on the B levels even when applied over several
years.
Robin what ppm B levels do you consider 'normal'?
Glen
Robin Duchesneau wrote:
>
> 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
>
>
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