Soil Boron Research Articles

Sweet cherry response in absorption and mobility of 10B applied to soil and flowers under two soil boron conditions

AbstractBackgroundBoron (B) is an essential micronutrient for plants, and B deficiency reduces fruit set in sweet cherry trees. Several studies showed the advantages of foliar and soil B applications in fruit trees, but there is little information on the distribution of B in the plant, becoming an important issue when nutritional corrections are needed.AimsThe study aims to determine B mobility and distribution in sweet cherry trees, applying 10B to the flowers and soil, at different timings and under two levels of soil B availability.MethodsTwo experiments were conducted with sweet cherry trees. In the two previous seasons, the plants were managed in two soil B availability conditions (deficient and adequate). The experiments consisted of the applications of 10B solution to the flowers and the soil at different timings and under both soil B conditions.ResultsHigher 10B absorption occurred when the 10B was applied to the soil at full bloom than when it was applied before leaf senescence. Boron was mobilized to all the tissues, but mainly to the leaves. Nevertheless, the fruit presented no differences in 10B excess for both application timings. Irrespective of soil B conditions, the 10B applied to the soil at full bloom was absorbed and mobilized to different tissues, that is, roots + rootstock + trunk (39%–44%) and stems + leaves (53%–55%), showing no differences between them. A lower percentage of B was located in the fruit, with 1% and 8% at soil B‐deficient and B‐adequate conditions, respectively. The highest percentage of the 10B applied to the flowers remained in the fruit (∼70%), and nearly 20% and 10% were mobilized to stems + leaves and roots + rootstock + trunk, respectively, independent of the soil B condition.ConclusionsBoron applied to soil at full bloom or before leaf senescence, under B‐deficient soil condition, is absorbed and mobilized to all the plant tissues, enhancing the B status in sweet cherry trees particularly when it is applied at full bloom. However, B soil application before leaf senescence would improve the availability of B (reserves) to the flowers in the following season. Boron applied to the flowers, at full bloom, remains in a high proportion in the fruit, becoming an effective complementary method to meet the fruit demands of the growing season, independent of the soil B conditions.

Transcriptome and protein-protein interaction analysis reveals the tolerance of poplar to high boron toxicity regulated by transport and cell wall synthesis pathways

Soil contamination with high levels of boron (B) destroys the balance of the soil ecosystem, reduces crop yields and poses a potential threat to human health and safety. Hyperaccumulator plants such as poplar can be used to mitigate high B soil contamination and its negative effects. Despite having a certain level of understanding of the physiological response of poplars to high boron stress tolerance, the differences in boron accumulation efficiency among different clones and their underlying molecular mechanisms are still unclear. The effects of high B toxicity on growth, B accumulation and physiological parameters were investigated in this research to compare the high B tolerance and high B accumulation abilities of five poplar clones (717, SXY, NL895, 84 K, and T89). Then two poplar clones (SXY and T89) were selected, due to their differences in B content and accumulation under high B toxicity, for transcriptomic and protein-protein interactions (PPI) analysis. The plant biomass and root-to-shoot ratio were reduced, the leaves exhibited symptoms of chlorosis and shrinkage of high B stressed five poplar clones. Boron toxicity significantly decreased the net photosynthetic rates, disturbed the balance of redox, induced the accumulation of H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA), and caused the increase in free proline levels in roots and leaves. B accumulation was significantly increased in the high B treated new leaves. The SXY clones showed the highest B accumulation, making it a potential hyperaccumulator for B contaminated soils. The transcriptome analysis of SXY and T89 revealed differential expression of genes involved in cell wall organization, active transmembrane transporter activity, cell wall synthesis, and B transport. The analysis of PPI indicates that these proteins work together in group functions. We identified some key differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to transport and cell wall degradation. Our findings suggest that poplar is a plant that can tolerate high levels of boron, and it is possible to select poplar clones that accumulate high levels of boron to reduce soil boron pollution. The potential candidate genes, involved in transport and cell wall synthesis, can be focused on to improve poplar tolerance to high B in future breeding programs.

Field evaluations of biodegradable boric acid hydrogel baits for the control of Argentine ants: Promising results in vineyards and citrus orchards

Argentine ants are a major pest in California. In this study, a biodegradable calcium alginate hydrogel with an aqueous boric acid bait was tested against Argentine ant populations in a citrus orchard and a vineyard. A new continuous method was developed to produce large quantities of hydrogel bait for the field test. Foraging activity levels of ants were compared between baited and untreated zones. For both study sites, four to five monthly bait applications throughout summer provided a greater than 80% reduction in ant activity. Based on spatial analyses by distance indices, the baited areas were characterized by gaps (areas with lower ant counts) and the untreated control zones were characterized by patches (areas with higher ant counts). This indicated area-wide suppression of Argentine ants. For the citrus orchard, post-baiting panel trap monitoring showed reductions of both ants and Asian citrus psyllid in the baited zone compared to the control. For the vineyard, mid-season soil analyses indicated that the impact of boric acid baiting on soil boron concentration was negligible. In sum, the calcium alginate hydrogel bait with boric acid as an active ingredient may provide a promising solution for Argentine ant baiting.

Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management on Yield, Soil, and Plant Nutrient Status in Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis L.) cv. Phule Mosambi

ABSTRACT Impact of integrated nutrient management on plant and soil nutrient status in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.) cv. Phule Mosambi was investigated for two consecutive years i.e. 2019 and 2020 at the Horticultural Research Farm, College of Horticulture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) comprised of 11 treatments replicated thrice. Significantly higher yield was recorded with T11 [50% Recommended Dose of Nitrogen (RDN) + 20 kg farmyard manure (FYM)/tree +25% nitrogen (N) from Castor Cake + 10 ml Bio NPK Consortium + Micronutrient foliar spray (1% Grade IV)] (17.35 and 17.01 t/ha) which was at par with T10 (15.92 and 15.56 a t/ha) during 2019 and 2020, respectively. Amongst the treatments, T11 had increased the nutrient contents of soil as well as in plant and recorded maximum available nitrogen (N), available potassium (K), soil boron (B) content, plant nitrogen (N) content, plant iron (Fe) content, plant copper (Cu) content and plant boron (B) content in both the years whereas available phosphorous (P) was found higher in treatment T7 in both the years. Treatment T8 recorded highest soil copper (Cu) content in both the years. As far as plant zinc (Zn) content is concerned, it was found higher in treatment T9 in both the years.

Boron nutrition improves peanuts yield and seed quality in a low B sandy soil

ABSTRACT Peanuts are mainly grown in sandy soils with low boron content, which may limit the crop yield, especially runner-type cultivars that have high-yields. Boron deficiency causes hollow heart in peanut seeds, reducing yield and seed quality, but the best strategy to supply boron to peanut is still not known. This study aimed to evaluate peanuts nutrition, yield, and seed quality as a function of boron rate, source, and application form. The study was conducted for two years in sandy soils with low boron in southeastern Brazil. Treatments included application of boron via soil: control (boron unfertilized), boric acid at 1.5 kg ha -1 of B, Ulexite (1.5 and 3.0 kg ha -1 of B), and sodium tetraborate (1.5 and 3.0 kg ha -1 of B) combined with foliar fertilization (sub-plots): 0, 400, 800 and 1200 g ha -1 of B (boric acid) with four replicates. Boron fertilization via soil and foliar increased peanuts yield by 20 % (1100 kg ha -1 ) and 14 % (700 kg ha -1 ) - the average of the two crops, respectively. Combined use of soil and foliar fertilizer was justified only in years with water deficit and when the rate applied via soil was low (<3.0 kg ha -1 ). Boron application via soil or application of 400 g ha -1 of B via foliar fertilization increased seed germination rate by 10 to 13 %. Boron fertilization increased the percentage of normal seedlings, seedling weight, and length and reduced the germination time. Foliar and soil boron applications efficiently improved peanut seed nutrition, yield, and quality. However, soil application performed better, showing a higher percentage of yield increase.

Effectivity of borate micro fertilizer on yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Boron (B) is one of the most essential nutrients for fertilization and the production of fruits and seeds, however the availability of boron in soil is very limited. The aim for this experiment is to test the borate micro fertilizer to improve the growth and production of cucumber (Cucumis sativus). The fertilizer used in this experiment is borate micro fertilizer which contain 46% or 460 g.kg-1 B2O3. The experiment was conducted at Cibadak Village, Sukaresmi District, Cianjur Regency, West Java Province. Treatments in this experiment were arranged within five rates of fertilizer, which are: without fertilizer (P0); 0.5 rate of Borate fertilizer (0.5 B) (P1); 1.0 rate of Borate fertilizer (1.0 B) (P2); 1.5 rate of Borate fertilizer (1.5 B) (P3); and 2.0 rate of Borate fertilizer (2.0 B) (P4). The result showed that the treatment of 0.5 to 2.0 rate of borate micro fertilizer can produce growth characteristics and plants that are better compared to the control treatment. Applicating 0.5 rate of borate micro fertilizer even has the capacity of yielding production up to 48.960 kg.ha-1. The 0.5 rate of Borate micro fertilizer treatment was concluded as the most effective one compared to other treatments, due to its capacity to produce the highest relative agronomical effectivity value, which is 152%. The recommended rate of Borate fertilizer is 25 kg.ha-1 given by soil drench at 15 and 30 DAP (days after planting) with the concentration is 1.5 g.L-1 and the volume is 250 ml/plant.

Assessing Suitability of Different Extractants for Estimating Plant Available Boron in Lateritic Soils (Alfisols)

ABSTRACT The depth-wise distribution of plant available boron (B) extracted by dilute HCl (HCl), tartaric acid (TA), hot calcium chloride (HCC), hot water (HW), ammonium acetate (AA), Ammonium Bicarbonate-Diethylene Triamine Penta Acetic acid (AB-DTPA) and mannitol calcium chloride (MCC) in some acidic lateritic soils (Alfisols) of Birbhum, West Bengal, India, was examined in relation to their physicochemical properties and grain yield, concentration and removal of B by rice grain to screen out the most suitable extractant for lateritic soils. The highest overall mean B concentration of surface soils (0.325 mg kg−1) was obtained by 0.05 M HCl, whereas its lowest content was obtained by MCC (0.145 mg kg−1) and with increasing depth its content was decreased for all the extractants used. The sequence of B extraction by various extractants was as follows: HCl > TA > HCC > HW > AA > AB-DTPA > MCC. Higher extractability of HCl is due to lower pH and attendant dissolution of soil minerals. Most often, decrease in organic carbon, clay, CEC, amorphous iron and aluminum oxides or increase in manganese oxide contributed to the observed drop in B along soil depth. The B extracted by different extractants showed significant positive correlations among themselves. The HCl extracted B showed the highest correlation with grain yield, concentration, and removal of B by rice grain. The HCl extractable B enhanced adjusted R2 value in multiple regression equation, boosting the predictability of the model. Thus, in acidic lateritic soils (Alfisols), the 0.05 M HCl is the best extract for estimating plant available B.

Determination of boron isotopic compositions in five fractions of soil boron: traces of the environmental behavior of boron in soil

A stepwise extraction method established for boron isotope measurement of five fractions in soil boron showed their feathered isotopic signals.

Fractionation of stable boron isotopes in alfisols: Application of a novel tool for tracing boron behavior in two soil profiles

Available boron (AB) and total boron (TB) in soil have distinct isotopic values, which are mainly influenced by the pH, organic matter and clay minerals, and can be used to explore the chemical behaviors of boron (B) in adsorption, weathering and eluviation processes. The B isotopic compositions of AB and TB in brown soil (slightly acidic) and cinnamon soil (neutral to slightly alkaline) profiles were investigated by multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Variations in pH value and organic matter in the two soils directly affected the adsorption of B isotopes (dissolved 11B(OH)3 or 10B(OH)4-) in the aqueous solution, as shown by AB having an average negative δ11B value of −1‰ and a great range of −10.83‰ to +8.32‰ in the cinnamon soil. Furthermore, the long-term effects of adsorption and transportation processes were evidenced by the large range of δ11BTB values (-24.22‰ to +21.07‰) in the two soils. The topsoil layers with more organic matter and higher δ11B values indicated that B isotope fractionation occurred as a result of the input of rainfall, recycling of plant litter and the adsorption of organic matter and clay minerals. The lower δ11B values, the higher B contents and the element ratios in the underlying layers resulted from the weathering of different minerals and the adsorption of AB in the leaching process. This finding is supported by the relationship between AB and the clay/silt ratio, with more negative δ11B values being associated with finer clay particles via the adsorption of 10B(OH)4- in a weakly alkaline soil solution. The δ11B values in soils may be a useful tool for distinguishing geochemical cycling and processes and characterizing long-term processes that are difficult to assess.

Response of Soybean Cultivars to Foliar Fertilizers Using Iron and Boron in Gypsum Soil

To examine the response of soybean cultivars to foliar fertilizers using iron and boron, a field experiment was applied in the Agriculture College, Tikrit University, using Random Complete Block Design (RCBD) and three replications. Four soybean cultivars were used (Lee, Dee, Shaimaa and Laura) and four combinations of foliar fertilization (distilled water (comparison), iron (0.1 mg L-1), boron (0.3 mg L-1) and iron + boron (0.1). +0.3 mg L-1, respectively). Some growth traits and yield were measured to determine the effect of the factors used. The results indicated a significant increase in plant height (7%), 100 seeds weight (0.5%), and plant yield (3%) when plants fertilized with boron compared to spraying with distilled water. The number of pods per plant also increased significantly when adding boron (34%) and iron (37%) compared to distilled water. The cultivar Shaima was significantly higher in plant height (85.36 cm) and plant dry weight (328.43 gm plant-1), 100 seeds weight (11.67 g) and plant yield (48.44 gm plant-1), while the cultivar Lee took a shorter period to 50% flowering (70.25 days) and the number of pods per plant (125.58 pod plan-1). The results of this study will help increase the information in the growth of soybean cultivars in gypsum soils and help in the differentiation among cultivars and using fertilizer combinations of microelements.

Influence of Selected Soil Properties and Cropping System on Soil Boron Fractions in an Inceptisol of Assam, India

The current research aimed to investigate different boron fractions in diverse cropping systems and assess their relationship with various soil physico-chemical properties. Twenty-four geo-referenced surface soil samples (0-15 cm) were collected from four cropping systems: Rice-Rice, Rice-Fallow, Vegetable-Vegetable, and Plantation crops. The study found that the available boron (ranging from 0.56 to 1.69 mg kg-1) and five boron fractions, including Readily Soluble Boron (0.04-2.41 mg kg-1), Specifically Adsorbed Boron (0.15-1.92 mg kg-1), Oxide Bound Boron (5.18-17.41 mg kg-1), Organically Bound Boron (6.86-20.3 mg kg-1), and Residual Boron (17.73-36.57 mg kg-1), did not significantly differ among the cropping systems. The results revealed that the proportions of these boron fractions in soils followed this order: Readily Soluble B < Specifically Adsorbed B < Oxide Bound B < Organically Bound B < Residual B. Additionally, pH and CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity) did not exert a significant influence on soil boron fractions, while Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) significantly impacted Oxide Bound and Organically Bound Boron fractions. Despite the different cropping systems, there were no significant variations in the various boron fractions. Furthermore, the study identified positive correlations between soil organic carbon and Oxide Bound B, Organically Bound B, Specifically Adsorbed B, and Electrical Conductivity (E.C.). The cropping system did not have a significant effect on the diverse boron fractions investigated in this study.

MITIGATION EFFECTS OF WATER-SOLUBLE CHITOSAN ON BORON TOXICITY IN PEPPER PLANTS

Excess boron in soil is often found in dry agricultural areas and is one of the factors limiting crop yields. Polysaccharide-based biostimulants can mitigate the harmful effects of environmental stresses on plants. I performed this study under controlled greenhouse conditions to understand the response of pepper plants under boron stress to treatment with water-soluble chitosan (WSC). I watered plants with 50 or 100 mg/l WSC and 1.5 mM boric acid solution. As a result of WSC application at both concentrations, plants were taller and had more leaves and greater leaf length, width, relative chlorophyll content, and fresh aboveground weight compared with the control. Plants exposed to boron stress had fewer leaves, a lower relative chlorophyll content, and leaf blade damage indicative of boron toxicity. At the same time, boron-exposed plants showed a marked increase in the leaf nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and boron contents. Applying WSC at both concentrations modulated boron stress in plants by improving plant growth; reducing boron accumulation in leaves; and increasing the available nitrate nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents in the substrate.

Dynamic Studies of Nodulation and Morphological Characterization of Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeate L.) Accessions

Sesbania aculeate is a quick growing, succulent, easily decomposable and produces maximum amount of organic matter and nitrogen in the soil. Sesbania green manure after decomposition, increases humus, available nitrogen and lower down the C:N ratio of soil, aeration, permeability, enhance the boron and iron content in soil and also protect the soil from leaching of nutrients. Besides this significance, current study was carried out during rabi 2022 at ADAC&RI, Trichy to characterize the explored Daincha germplasms for their morpho biometric triats, green biomass yield and nodulation. Daincha germplasm Sivagangai local recorded more green biomass yield (19.8t / ha) and superior contributing biometrical traits. The number of Rhizobium colonies was higher in Sivagangai local as compared to Villupuram local, Vellore local & Pant variety. This could further be utilized for their symbiotic effectiveness determination under field condition and can be effectively utilized in hybridization programs for improving more green biomass yield.

Impact of Boron and Zinc on Vegetables: A Review

Micronutrients are necessary for the development and continued existence of plant life, as well as the nourishment of crops. Boron and zinc are found to have beneficial effects on the growth, production, and quality of a wide variety of crops, such as tomatoes, chilies, brinjal, cauliflower, broccoli, okra, and carrots, amongst many others. The different studies show that boron in soil and foliar increases tomato vegetative growth and production. Boron 2 kg/ha in the soil and 150 ppm or 3.8 mg/L foliar spray improve yield. According to investigations, adding boron to chilli at 1-3 kg/ha increases yield. Boron, vermicompost, and magnesium are also claimed to increase yields in significant amount. The applying boron on brinjal produced a significantly higher yield, 26% yield increase over control. Applying borax in the soil and foliar concentration at 100 ppm increases cauliflower output and improves its vegetative characteristics. 100 ppm zinc foliar spray increases production by 150-200% in tomato. However, zinc treatment improves vegetative development and reproductive traits, directly increasing tomato output. Zinc applied at 0.5 to 0.75 % to chili increased overall yield significantly.it is also found that application of the zinc in bottle gourd, broccoli and okra found to be beneficial in increasing the overall production which will cause the benefit to the farmer. Concluding that the application of boron and zinc on vegetables found to be significantly beneficial in various ways as per discussed in the review.

Soil Properties Influence Vertical Distribution of Boron Fractions in Lateritic Soil

The present study was conducted at Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati, West Bengal, India, during 2019-20 to evaluate the different fractions of boron (B) along depth and their relationship to some soil properties in lateritic soils of West Bengal, India. The sequential B fractionation scheme was followed to estimate B fractions in the studied soils. It was found that most of the soils fall under the sandy clay loam and clay loam soil textural categories. The soil pH was either categorized as extremely acidic or slightly acidic in nature and the range of low to medium organic carbon content was present. The studied soils’ CEC varied between 5.90 to 26.64 [C mol (P+) kg-1]. In the B fractionation study, it was revealed that, for uptake of plants, the readily soluble boron (Rs-B) is the most easily accessible fraction among all other fractions, and the residual boron (Res-B) fraction accounts for the major portion of total soil boron (Tot-B). Different soil properties of the study area greatly influenced the B fractions along soil depths. The contribution of different B fractions towards total soil B (Tot-B) B followed the order: residual boron (Res-B) >> oxide-bound boron (Oxd-B) > organically bound boron (Org-B) > specifically adsorbed boron (Sad-B) > readily soluble boron (Rs-B). The current study will be helpful for adopting the fertilizer management practices of boron-deficient lateritic soils (Alfisols).

Assesment of Boron in Soil, Plant and Irrigation Water under Cotton-wheat Cropping System of Northern India

Background: The use of high yielding varieties, high analysis fertilizers and intensive cultivation has depleted the fertility of soils particularly with respect to micronutrients. The deficiency of B is expected to be high in coarse-textured soils having low organic matter, high CaCO3 and high pH. Methods: Geo-referenced surface (0-15 cm, n=155) soil samples, cotton leaves at pre flowering stage (n=75), wheat flag leaves (n=80) and tube well water (n=75) samples were collected from Bathinda, Mansa and Mukatsar districts of Punjab. Result: About 5, 18 and 20 per cent of soil, cotton and wheat samples were deficient in B, respectively. Hot water soluble B in soil was significantly positively correlated with pH (r= 0.230*), ESP (0.680**), B concentration in leaves of cotton (r=0.259*) and wheat (r=0.531**) but negatively with CaCO3 in soil (r= -0.210*). About 40 per cent of tubewell waters had greater than 2.0 mg B l-1. On an average, one cm ha of tube well water may add up to 93g B ha-1 to soil.

Effect of Zinc and Boron on Yield, Quality and Nutritional Value of Broccoli Head (Brassica oleracea var. italica) with Different Application Methods in Red and Lateritic Soils of Birbhum District, India

The aim of the study was to improve yield, quality and nutritional value of broccoli head with different dose and application methods of zinc and boron and also decide the best possible treatment combination. The experiment was conducted in Palli sikhsha bhavana, agriculture farm, Visva Bharati (Sriniketan) during rabi seasons of 2018-19 and 2019-20 from October to January. It was laid out in a Factorial Randomized Block Design consisting of 9 treatments of zinc and boron combination with different doses and application method replicated thrice. Three treatments of Zinc viz. Z0 (no zinc), Zf (foliar application @0.5% ZnSO4), Zs (soil application @25 kg/ha ZnSO4) and three treatments of Boron viz. B0 (no boron), Bf (foliar application @0.5% borax), Bs (soil application @2 kg/ha borax) randomized among themselves The crop was planted (spacing of 50 cm X 40 cm), fertilized (N: P2O5: K2O::150:100:100) and irrigated as per recommended practices. Five plants from each plot were randomly selected and tagged for data collection. Treatment (T8) combined application of boron soil @2 kg/ha and zinc as foliar @0.5% was found superior for total yield (28.9 ton/ha) and head weight per plot (695.4 gms). Vitamin C and total chlorophyll of broccoli head significantly improved with combined application of zinc in soil @25 kg/ha and boron as foliar @0.5% with highest value of 1117.5mg/g and 0.77mg/g respectively. Highest Total sugar and reducing content was recorded for combined application of boron in soil @2 kg/ha as well as foliar @0.5% with value of 1.7% and 1.62%. Crude protein content in broccoli head was significantly improved with zinc foliar application @0.5% with a value of 14.34%. Zinc concentration and zinc uptake by broccoli head was significantly increased by zinc foliar application @0.5% recording highest value of 0.041% and 6.67 kg/ha whereas boron concentration and uptake was improved by combined application of boron soil @2 kg/ha and zinc as foliar @0.5% with a value of 0.0049% and 2.26 kg/ha respectively. The combined application of boron in soil @2 kg/ha and zinc as foliar @0.5% would be the best treatment to impact on yield, quality and nutritional values of broccoli head in red and lateritic soils of Birbhum district.

LONG-TERM EFFECT OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZER ON BORON FRACTION DISTRIBUTION IN BAJRA MUSTARD COWPEA CROPPING SEQUENCE UNDER TYPICAL USTOCHREPT SOIL

The experiment on continuous cropping at Anand Agricultural University was employed for the study; the macro- and micronutrient content, soil boron percentage, and critical physical properties of 2019 topsoil samples were analysed and compared to 2014 levels. In 2019, however, scientists not only analysed soil samples from the surface to deep down for biological information, but also for a wide range of soil properties. Traditional analytical techniques were used to examine three kinds of plant and soil samples. For this study, we looked at the effect of long-term application of FYM on fertility levels and the correlation between soil organic carbon and boron content in a bajra-mustard-cowpea (f) cropping cycle.

Determination of Critical Concentrations of Boron in Soils and Leaves of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) using Polynomial Equation

Determination of Critical Concentrations of Boron in Soils and Leaves of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) using Polynomial Equation

Pod and Seed Production Potential of Vegetable Pea (Pisum sativum L.) as Influenced by Different Levels of Sulphur and Boron in Calcareous Soil of North Bihar

Background: Vegetable pea is one of the relevant vegetable crops grown in the cool season all over the India. Sulphur deficiency is becoming more prevalent in Bihar due to the less use of boron and sulphur-containing fertilizer in calcareous soils and the consequent decrease in sulphur and boron nutrients. On the other hand, organic matter-rich manures, are utilized in very small quantities which is a source of a macro-and micronutrients, including sulphur and boron. As a consequence, soils have become deficient in sulphur and boron, which is detrimental to crop production. In the absence of these sulphur and boron in the soil, different legume crops such as vegetable pea suffer from reduced growth, yield and nodule formation. Methods: In this field investigation during 2020-2022, experiments were conducted in Factorial Randomized Block Design using fifteen different combinations of Boron and Sulphur doses in Azad Pea-3 variety of vegetable pea in three replications and different pod and seed yield attributing traits were studied. Result: Among the different treatments, it has been inferred that treatment combination 40 kg S ha-1 + 2 kg B ha-1 exhibited superiority over rest of the treatment combinations with respect to pod and seed yield attributes of vegetable pea.