Impact of some boron application methods on yield and nutritional status of pepper plants in a greenhouse experiment

Abstract

Boron- B is an essential element for the growth and development of plants. Its deficiency in hot, dry areas with calcareous soils can significantly reduce agricultural crop production. To study the impact of B fertilization, an experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with seven treatments, including control, foliar spray (0.5, 1, and 2 g L − 1 boric acid), and fertigation (0.5, 1, and 2 g L−1 boric acid). The experiment, with three replicates, was carried out in greenhouse conditions on pepper plants (Capsicum annuum cv. Lorca). The highest fruit yield was achieved with foliar spray at a concentration of 0.5 g L−1 and fertigation at 1 g L−1. Overall, the use of B fertilizer increased the concentration of macronutrients such as potassium-K (up to 27.79%), phosphorus-P (up to 59%), calcium-Ca (up to 49.61%), and magnesium-Mg (up to 158%), as well as micronutrients like iron-Fe (up to 59.55%), manganese-Mn (up to 29.03%), zinc-Zn (up to 81.81%), copper-Cu (up to 49.33%), B (up to 180%), and sodium-Na (up to 85.19%). It also decreased the concentration of nitrogen-N (up to 15%), sulfur-S (up to 21.36%), and chlorine-Cl (up to 48.02%) in the leaf tissue of pepper plants compared to the control treatment. These changes were influenced by the B concentration and type of fertilization. The results indicate that in calcareous soils with high pH, both fertigation and foliar spray methods can effectively address B deficiency in pepper plants by enhancing element absorption and increasing yield.