Boron Application for Corn Grown on Selected Southeastern Soils1

Abstract

AbstractSome southeastern states recommend Boron application or Corn (Zea mays L.) while others with similar soils, do not. Certain soils are capable of providing an adequate supply of B for plant growth; others are not and require additional B. This study was initiated to determine the effects of B application to corn grown on two Coastal Plain and one Piedmont soil. The objectives were to investigate B accumulation and distribution in the soil and plant tissue and the effect of B on yield, percentage of crude protein, and elemental concentrations in the plant and mature seed.Field experiments were conducted to compare the effects of broadcast and foliar spray applications of B to corn at rates from 0 to 3.36 kg/ha. Hot‐water‐soluble (HWS) soil B and plant tissue B concentrations increased with increasing rate of B applications. Foliar spray application resulted in greater increases of B in tissue than the broadcast application. Boron accumulation in the marginal section of corn leaves was greater than accumulation in the midrib section. With the exception of corn receiving broadcast application of B at one of the Coastal Plain sites, B in the ear leaf tissue was significantly correlated with both HWS soil B and applied B.There were no visual B deficiency symptoms but visual toxicities resulted from the two highest B rates for both application methods. The concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Al, Sr, Ba, and Na were not affected by B applications. Yield and percentage crude protein in the grain were not affected by method or rate of applied B indicating that supplemental B is not required for corn grown on these soils.