Boron Sprays Research Articles

Effect of foliar spray of silicon and boron on fruiting and yield of rejuvenated mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Sonpari

An experiment was conducted at Regional Horticultural Research Station, ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, during two continuous years 2017-18 and 2018-19 to assess the effect of different silicon and boron sources on fruiting and yield of mango cv. Sonpari under South Gujarat conditions. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with factorial concept having ten treatment combinations comprising five levels of silicon and two levels of boron. Foliar spray of potassium silicate @ 1.5% (S3) was found better with respect to maximum fruit retention (4.14%), higher number of fruits at marble (11.05) and harvest (1.91) stages per panicle, higher number of fruits per tree (182.00) and yield (64.62kg/tree). Similarly, foliar spray of boric acid @ 1.2g L-1 (B2) gave maximum fruit retention (4.08%), number of fruits at marble (10.56) and harvest (1.78) stages per panicle, number of fruits per tree (172.80) and yield (60.94kg/tree). In interaction effect, combined spray of potassium silicate @ 1.5% + boric acid @ 1.2g L-1 (S3B2) gave maximum number of fruits per panicle at marble and harvest stages.

Effect of Foliar Spray of Boron on the Growth and Quality of Exotic Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) in Bangladesh

The experiment was conducted at Horticulture Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from October 2016 to April 2017. The experiment was conducted to assess the effect of two factors, for example; I, two levels of foliar spray of boron as:100 ppm boric acid (B1) and 200 ppm boric acid (B2) in relation to a control and II, three different tomato cultivars/lines as: L1: Exotic Tomato Line-1, L2: Exotic Tomato Line-2, L3: BARI Tomato-15. The two factorial experiments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Fruit setting (56.73%), yield (64.89 t/ha) and total soluble solid (TSS) (4.3%) were considerably higher in B1 and low in B2. Whereas, significantly higher yield (79.87 t/ha) was recorded in L3 in in comparison to L1. Considering quality parameters, Vitamin C (20 mg) was the highest in L3 whereas TSS (4.58%) was the highest in L1. In interaction effect, the highest yield (85 t/ha) was obtained from B1L3 and the lowest (31.23 t/ha) in B2L1. The present study suggest to cultivate BARI Tomato-15, but other two exotic lines adapted well and showed good performance in terms of yield and quality parameters.

Effect of pre harvest foliar application of micronutrients and sorbitol on flowering, pollen fertility and fruit set of litchi cv. Bombai

An investigation was carried out to study the effect of foliar spray of micronutrients, viz, calcium and boron and sorbitol on fruit-set, yield and fruit quality in litchi (Litchi chinensis). cv. Bombai, grown at Regional Research Station, Gayeshpur, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD), with three replications and seven treatments including control viz. T1 – (Calcium nitrate – 0.06%), T2 – (Boric Acid – 0.02%), T3 – Sorbitol – 2%, T4 - Calcium nitrate – 0.06% + Sorbitol – 2%, T5 - Boric Acid – 0.02% + Sorbitol – 2%, T6 - Calcium nitrate – 0.06% + Boric Acid – 0.02% + Sorbitol – 2%, and T7- control plot. Results revealed that Calcium nitrate – 0.06% + Boric Acid – 0.02% + Sorbitol – 2%, were the most effective for enhancing initial fruit set (61.37) and number of fruit per panicle at harvest (32.00), yield (41.72 kg /tree), fruit weight (29.14 g), TSS (20.80 °Brix), total sugars (16.80%) and ascorbic acid content (23.80 mg / 100 g). while control recorded minimum yield, fruit weight, TSS and total sugar content of fruits.

Effect of soil and foliar application of boron on growth and seed yield of onion

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season, 2015-16 at Research Farm, Chilli and Vegetable Research Unit, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola with an objective to study the effect of soil and foliar application of boron on growth and seed yield of onion (cv. Akola Safed) on Inceptisol in randomized block design with seven treatments and three replications fertilized with different levels of boron fertilizers. The treatments comprised of three levels of basal dose of boron through borax @ 1.5, 3.0 and 5.0 kg ha-1 at the time of planting of onion bulbs and foliar sprays of boron through borax @ 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% at buttoning stage (60 DAP). The result revealed that the growth attributing characters such as highest number of tillers per plant (11.85), lowest number of days to attain 50% buttoning stage (27 days after planting), highest number of umbels per plant (12.83) and highest polar diameter (4.06 cm) and equatorial diameter (4.92 cm) were recorded with the soil application of borax @ 3.0 kg ha-1 (T3). However the significantly highest yield and yield attributing characters viz., umbellate per umbel (227.55), seeds per umbel (680.87), seed weight per umbel (3.46 g), seed yield (14.84 q ha-1) and quality parameters such as test weight – g/1000 seeds (5.18 g) were found most effective with the foliar sprays of borax @ 0.2% at buttoning stage (60 DAP) which was at par with foliar sprays of borax @ 0.3% at buttoning stage (60 DAP) followed by soil application of borax @ 3.0 kg ha-1. It could be concluded that, foliar application of borax @ 0.2% at buttoning stage (60 DAP) or soil application of borax @ 3.0 kg ha-1 at the time of planting of onion bulbs recorded highest seed yield.

Assessing the relationship of soil and leaf boron status with fruit yield, nutrients and biochemical constituents of Mallika mango

An experiment was conducted on 20 year old trees of Mallika mango to assess the yield, nutrient contentsand enzymatic and protein activities as influenced by different boron treatments. Results indicated that thelower foliar B content (15.3 to 24.1 mg kg−1) and yield were significantly correlated. Highestpulp B content wasobserved in metalosate treated (T-9) fruits (4.30 mg kg−1) as compared to control (2.63 mg kg−1), boric acid spray (3.17 to 3.47 mg kg−1) and soil application of borax (3.33 mg kg−1). Boron spray improved thefruit yield which, inturn showed positive and significant correlation with pulp B content (r = 0.727*). Enzymatic activities like thatof invertase increased inmetalosate treated fruits as compared to control. A range of 0.002 to 0.028 and 0.013to 0.0145 ΔOD/ 100 mg fresh weight polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was recordedamong the treatments. The proteincontent increased significantly in the B treated plots (T-9 and T-10) as compared to its non-application withthe highest being 0.854 and 0.974 mg per 100 mg tissue protein in the respective years. The study concludedthat foliar or soil application of B proved effectivein the improvement of quality in respect of pulp nutrientsand protein content of mango cv. Mallika.

Foliar Application of Green Synthesized Zinc Sulphide and Zinc Oxide Nano Particles Enhances Growth, Root Attributes, Yield and Oil Quality of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

A balanced nutrition for enhanced nutrient use efficiency is important to achieve potential crop yield. A deficiency of secondary and micronutrients is known to impair growth and quality of oil seed crops such as sunflower. The present study examined the effect of foliar application of nano-scale zinc particles in combination with boron on the growth and yield attributes of sunflower cv. RFSH-130 in a controlled environment. The treatments comprised foliar application of different nanoparticles (ZnS @ 400 ppm and ZnO @ 1000 ppm) and conventional ZnSO4@ 5000 ppm at 35 and 55 DAS. Further, these were combined with or without spray of boron @ 0.5% at 40 DAS. The sizes of the green synthesized nanoparticles of ZnS and ZnO in the presence of a biopolymer, chetosan were 60 and 38 nm respectively. ZnS and ZnO in nano formulations were absorbed by sunflower foliage to a greater extent compared to bulk ZnSO4. The results revealed that green synthesized ZnS and ZNO nanoparticles enhanced the growth and yield of sunflower.

Influence of early season boron spraying and postharvest calcium dip treatment on cell-wall degrading enzymes and fruit firmness in ‘Starking Delicious’ apple during storage

In this experiment, the effects of early season boron sprays (300 mgL−1, two times at the stage of full bloom and petal fall) and postharvest calcium dip treatment (4% w/v) alone or combined were investigated on the cell wall composition and cell wall modifying enzymes and their contribution to fruit ripening and softening behavior of ‘Starking Delicious’ apple at harvest and after 6 months storage (0 ± 1 °C and 95% RH) plus shelf life at room temperature. Ca alone and Ca plus B was effective in delaying fruit softening apparently owing to suppressed pectin solubilisation, pectate lyase (PL), β-galactosidase (β-Gal) and α-L-arabinofuranosidase (AFase) activities were negatively correlated to firmness, thus positively affecting fruit storability. B application did not affect fruit Ca content and the activity of cell wall modifying enzymes, but caused small changes in flesh firmness and ethylene production which was less efficient than Ca dip treatment.

Role of mineral nutrition in alleviation of heat stress in cotton plants grown in glasshouse and field conditions

Coincidence of high temperature with terminal reproductive pheno-stages of cotton is chief constraint to achieve yield potential. This high temperature interfere plant defensive system, physiological process, water relations and lint yield production. In this study, we modulated the detrimental outcomes of heat stress on cotton through the foliar spray of nutrients. Cotton crop was exposed to sub-optimal and supra-optimal thermal regimes for a period of one week at squaring, flowering and boll formation stages under glass house and field conditions. Foliar spray of potassium (K-1.5%), zinc (Zn-0.2%) and boron (B-0.1%) were applied at three reproductive stages one day prior to expose high temperature regimes. High temperature increased lipid membrane damage through increased malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in cotton leaves. High temperature stress also reduced leaf chlorophyll contents, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, water potential, averaged boll weight (g) and seed cotton yield per plant. Various nutrients variably influenced growth and physiology of heat-stressed cotton plants. Zinc outclassed all other nutrients in increasing leaf SOD, CAT, POX, AsA, TPC activity, chlorophyll contents, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, water potential, boll weight and seed cotton yield per plant. For example, zinc improved seed cotton yield under supra-optimal thermal regime by 17% and under sub-optimal thermal regime by 12% of glasshouse study while 19% under high temperature sowing dates of field study than the water treated plants under the same temperatures. Conclusively, increasing intensities of temperature adversely affected the recorded responses of cotton and exogenous application of Zn efficaciously alleviated heat induced perturbations. Moreover, exogenous nutrients mediated upregulations in physiochemical attributes induced heat tolerance at morphological level.

Effect of Different Sources and Concentrations of Pre-harvest Calcium and Boron Sprays on the Quality and Yield of Apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.)

Effect of Different Sources and Concentrations of Pre-harvest Calcium and Boron Sprays on the Quality and Yield of Apple (<i>Malus x domestica</i> Borkh.)

Effect of foliar spray of boron and zinc on fruit quality of papaya (&lt;i&gt;Carica papaya&lt;/i&gt; L.) cv. Red Lady in Chitwan, Nepal

A field experiment was carried out at the commercial papaya farm, Chanauli, Chitwan, from January 2016 to December 2016 to find out the effect of foliar spray of boron and zinc on the quality of papaya ( Carica papaya L.) cv. Red Lady. The experiment consisted of eleven treatments viz., T1-Control (No spray), T2-Water Spray, T3-Borax at 0.1 % and ZnSO 4 at 0.1 %, T4-Borax at 0.1 % and ZnSO 4 at 0.2 %, T5-Borax at 0.1 % and ZnSO 4 at 0.3 %, T6-Borax at 0.2 % and ZnSO 4 at 0.1 %, T7-Borax at 0.2 % and ZnSO 4 at 0.2 %, T8-Borax at 0.2 % and ZnSO 4 at 0.3 %, T9-Borax at 0.3 % and ZnSO 4 at 0.1 %, T10-Borax at 0.3 % and ZnSO 4 at 0.2 % and T11-Borax at 0.3 % and ZnSO 4 at 0.3 Post-harvest analysis of the harvested fruits was done at the post-harvest laboratory of Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan. Significantly the highest values were observed for the quality parameters like ascorbic acid content (4.67 mg/100 g pulp), TSS (11.68 °Brix), P H of fruit juice (5.53), TSS/TA ratio (101.63), and fruit firmness (2.73 Kg/cm 2 ) with the application of borax at 0.3 % and ZnSO 4 at 0.2 %. Similarly, the lowest values for titratable acidity (0.115 %) and physiological loss in weight during 3 days (1.60 %), 5 days (2.00 %), 7 days (3.05 %), and 9 days (4.75 %) after storage at room temperature were found in the same treatment.

Humic acid and boron treatment to mitigate salt stress on the melon plant

Salinity is one of the main abiotic stress factors which limit the growth and productivity of plants, however, the nutritional status of plants is the first brick in the resistance wall against stresses. Therefore, a factorial experiment was undertaken to investigate effects of soil applied humic acid (0, 7, 14, 21 l.ha-1) and boron foliar spraying (0, 50, 100 ppm) and their interaction on growth and yield of melon plant under saline conditions. The results suggested that the treatments soil application of humic acid and the boron spraying successfully mitigated the deleterious effects of salt stress and influenced growth and yield of melon plant. Humic acid at 21 l.ha-1 or boron spray at 50 ppm exhibited an improvement in growth and yield of melon, in terms of plant length, plant fresh and dry mass, chlorophyll (SPAD), fruit mass, total yield, and also leaf nutrient content (N and K) and total soluble solids (TSS) of fruits, while reduced the sodium content of leaves. The combined treatment of humic acid at 21 l.ha-1 and boron spraying at 50 ppm was found to be more effective for the melon plant to improving growth performance and the crop yield by 21 % as compared with the control group under saline conditions.

Effects of Exogenous epi-brassinolid, zinc and boron foliar nutrition on fruit development and ripening of grape (Vitis vinifera L. clv. ‘Khalili’)

This study was carried out in a commercial vineyard in Bavanat region, located in north of Fars province in Iran, during 2013 and 2014. To investigate the effects of epibrassinolide (Epi-BL) at (0, 0.2 and 0.4 mg L−1), aqueous solution of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4·7H2O) (0 and 2 g.L−1) and boric acid (0 and 0.5 g L−1). Epibrassinolide (Epi-BL) applied at three times pre bloom, bloom (50% calyptra [caps] off) and before ve´raison (50% berries color change) stages. Foliar spray of zinc and boron done approximately two weeks before and with the ten days' interval at the start of blooming on yield, berry number, seed number, pollen germination and fruit set. Results showed that poor fruitset, fruitlet abscission and parthenocarpic are major factors for low productivity in Khalili cultivar in the experimental region. Application of epibrassinolide improved the yield by promoting the cluster length, berry length and berry weight. Application of zinc and boron both together induced berry weight. Boron foliar application had significant effects on berry number per cluster. Foliar application of epibrassinolide increased the efficiency of zinc and boron foliar application on increment of fruitset and yield per vine. Foliar application of 0.4 mg L−1 epibrassinolide and foliar sprays of 2 gL−1 zinc sulfate and 0.5 g L−1 boric acid had the highest impact on chemical and reproductive characteristics and fruitset percentage.

Boron and TIBA induced physiological and anatomical changes in relation to dry matter partitioning in spring sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under delayed sowing

Improper translocation of photoassimilates due to poor differentiation of vascular bundles is reported to result in poor seed set in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) especially under high temperature conditions. Furthermore, comprehensive studies for improving vascularisation in sunflower are lacking. Hence, investigations were conducted at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India during spring 2014 and 2015 to evaluate the effect of boron and TIBA on pedicel anatomy and photosynthetic parameters in relation to dry matter accumulation by sunflower. The field experiment was laid-out in split-plot design keeping three sowing dates (January 20—D1, February 10—D2 and March 2—D3) in main plots and eight foliar applications (control, water spray, boron—110, 220, 440 ppm, TIBA—100, 200, 400 ppm) in sub plots with three replications. Delay in sowing caused reduction in photosynthetic parameters and pedicel vascularisation, ultimately resulting into lower biological and seed yield. Foliar spray of boron (220 and 440 ppm) and TIBA (100, 200, 400 ppm) increased the mean length of vascular bundles by 22.9 and 35.5%, and mean width by 34.2 and 39.8% coupled with significant improvement in photosynthetic parameters, and ultimately enhanced seed yield by 13–17% over control. Furthermore, positive correlation of dry matter partitioning to seed with length (|r| = 0.89) as well as width (|r| = 0.93) of vascular bundles indicated the role of boron and TIBA in improving the seed yield via improvement of vascular differentiation. However, plant height and DM partitioning to stem showed highly significant negative correlation with DM partitioning in seed.

Foliar application of boron, urea and GA3 influences earliness of curd production in broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)

Broccoli ( Brassica oleracea var. italica ) which belongs to Brassicaceae family, is an Italian vegetable, native to Mediterranean region. Although broccoli is not so popular yet in Jharkhand, it is slowly gaining popularity during the last few years among the consumers due to its nutritional value including flavour, taste, carotenoids and anticancerous properties. Among the entire cole family, broccoli is rated as most remunerative. To assess the impact of foliar spray of boron, Urea and GA 3 on earliness in curd production of broccoli cv. FIESTA under Ranchi condition, experiments were carried out at the Department of Horticulture, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand during winter season of 2013-14 and 2014-15, The experiment was done in Randomized Block Design having sixteen different treatments with three replications. It was recorded that various treatments have influenced the days to curd initiation, days to 50% of curd initiation, days to curd maturity. In general it was recorded that urea application @ 1.0% and 1.5% had advanced the days of initiation and maturity of the curd. Spray of GA 3 at different concentrations of 25 ppm, 50 ppm and 75 ppm had influenced the earliness of the curd positively. GA 3 @ (75 ppm) in combination of urea @ (0.5%) and Boron @ (2%) however enhanced the earliness maximum.

Improvement of “Kinnow” mandarin fruit productivity and quality by urea, boron and zinc foliar spray

ABSTRACTThe present study was carried out on Kinnow mandarin trees (Citrus reticulata Blanco) to study the effect of urea, zinc (Zn) and boron (B) foliar sprays either alone or in combinations on fruit yield and quality. Trees were grown in alkaline sandy loam soil at Dirab, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All trees were sprayed twice: before full bloom (February) and after fruit set (April) during two growing seasons. The obtained results showed a significant increase in tree yield and enhancement in fruit physical characteristics (fruit weight, pulp, juice, volume, length and diameter), as well as fruit chemical characteristics [soluble solids content, acidity, pH, total sugars and ascorbic acid] by all foliar treatments in comparison with the control (water only) in both seasons. Spraying urea in combinations with B and Zn resulted in higher fruit yield and better physico-chemical characteristics as compared with urea only, urea + B or urea + Zn.

Effects of micro-fertilizers foliar spray on the content of main effective components of Angelica dahurica

The zinc, boron and molybdenum were sprayed on the foliage of Angelica dahurica du-ring the vigorous growth period to explore the effects of the combination of zinc, boron and molybdenum fertilizers on the content of main effective components of A. dahurica, and to find out the optimum spraying amount. The results showed that the application of zinc, boron and molybdenum foliar spray was beneficial to increase the content of imperatorin and total cumarin, whereas had no effect on the content of the isoimperatorin. The effect of boron spray on the accumulation of imperatorin and total coumarin was the most significant, followed by the zinc and molybdenum. The interaction between boron and molybdenum had a negative cooperative effect on the content of imperatorin, while the interaction between zinc and molybdenum had a positivecooperative effect on the content of total coumarin. The contents of total coumarin reached over 0.7% respectively, with the complex fertilizer spray of zinc at 0.15-0.24 kg·hm-2, boron at 2.02-2.36 kg·hm-2 and molybdenum at 0.08-0.13 kg·hm-2. The contents of imperatorin reached over 0.2% respectively, with the complex fertilizer spray of zinc at 0.15-0.20 kg·hm-2, boron at 1.37-1.47 kg·hm-2 and molybdenum at 0.09-0.13 kg·hm-2. It was concluded that the application of zinc, boron and molybdenum foliar spray was beneficial to promote the quality of A. dahurica by enhancing its accumulation of coumarin.

Combined Foliar Spray of Boron, Calcium, and Silicon can Influence Quality and Shelf Life of Cherry Tomato in Modified Atmosphere Packaging

This study was analyzed the effects of boron (B), calcium (Ca), silicon (Si) on quality and shelf life of ‘Unicorn’ cherry tomato at the light red maturity-stage. The storage conditions were modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) by oxygen transmission rate (OTR) packaging film at 5oC, 11oC, and 24oC. Respiration and ethylene production were the lowest in B + Ca + Si -treated tomato fruits. The lowest fresh weight loss and the longest shelf life resulted from the B + Ca + Si treatment. And the firmness was enhanced by B + Ca + Si treatment at harvest time, and it was retained after storage at 5oC, 11oC, and 24oC. Significantly lower soluble solids, lycopene, and color development were found at B + Ca + Si-treated tomato fruits compared with control after storage. Moreover, the highest titratable acidity and vitamin C content were observed in B + Ca + Si-treated tomato fruits after storage. From the above results, it was concluded that B + Ca + Si combined treatment can delay the maturity of cherry tomato after harvesting, and retained the firmness and prolong the shelf life.

Effect of foliar spray of calcium chloride and boric acid on shelf-life of guava

The present investigation was conducted during 2015–16 on guava cv. Pant Prabhat having 9 treatments ofdifferent combinations of calcium and boron sprays made in 3 replications. The results obtained showed thatminimum physiological loss in weight (PLW) was found under T2 (calcium chloride @ 0.4%) treatment. Whereas, TSS (11.99oB), ascorbic acid (252.4 mg/100 g) and total sugars (7.51%) were found to be maximum in T8 (calciumchloride @ 0.4% + boric acid @ 0.2%) treatment and overall acceptability of fruits in storage up to six days wasalso found maximum under the same treatment. The findings of the present investigation revealed that thepre-harvest foliar application of calcium chloride and boric acid twice was an effective way for improvement offruit quality and shelf-life of guava. Calcium chloride (0.4%) and boric acid (0.2%) were found to be effective inincreasing quality, whereas, calcium chloride (0.4%) alone was effective for maintaining fruits under ambientstorage conditions for six days.

Effect of Calcium, Boron and Sorbitol on Fruit-Set, Yield and Quality in Mango Cv. Himsagar

An investigation was carried out to study the effect of foliar spray of micronutrients, viz, calcium and boron and sorbitol on fruit-set, yield and fruit quality in mango (Mangifera indica L). cv. Himsagar, at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Regional Research Station, Gayeshpur. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD), with three replications. Results revealed that boric acid (0.02%) + sorbitol (2.0%) were the most effective for enhancing fruit-set (1.58%), yield (48.51 kg tree-1), fruit weight (165.6 g), TSS (18.59°Brix), total sugars (14.92%) and ascorbic acid content (20.32 mg 100 g-1), while, calcium nitrate (Ca-0.06%) + boric acid (B-0.02%) proved to be the most effective for increasing shelf life in mango cv. Himsagar, at ambient room temperature.

Response of guava to boron and growth regulators spray

The effect of foliar spray of salicylic acid (SA) and boron along with traditional growth regulators like GA 3 , NAA and ethephon on growth, flowering and yield of guava variety Arka Amulya was investigated. Salicylic acid 100ppm recorded maximum increase in shoot length, number of leaves and leaf area over control. The minimum day for initiation of flowering (24.33) was taken by ethephon 100 ppm spray followed by SA 200 ppm (25.33). Concerning the effect of chemicals on number of fruits per shoot and fruit set per cent, maximum numbers of fruit (3.18) per shoot and fruit set per cent (74.16) were registered in S A 100 ppm which was statistically comparable to NAA 20 ppm. However, minimum fruit set percentage (35.57) was recorded in control. GA 3 50ppm and ethephon 100 ppm increased fruit length and fruit breadth, respectively over other treatments. Maximum yield (12 .30 kg) per plant was registered under treatment SA (100ppm) which found statistically comparable to NAA 20 ppm. The highest TSS and vitamin C content were registered under 20 ppm and boron 200 ppm, respectively. While, the highest B: C ratio (11.18) was recorded from the plant treated with SA 100 ppm.