Oasis Agri Prescription Blended Trace Elements Nutrients and Functions – Part 1

BORON (B)

Functions in Plants and Soil:

  • Cell Division:

Important for cell division, especially at growth points. Boron is primarily found in meristematic tissues (actively growing areas), reproductive tissues and leaves.

  • Sugar Transport:

Boron helps move sugars produced during photosynthesis from leaves to other parts of the plant, including growing tissues and developing fruits.

  • Cell Wall Structure:

Boron is a structural component of cell walls, providing strength to the plant

  • Root Development:

Boron is critical for cellular division and root elongation.

  • Hormone Regulation:

Boron is involved in various hormone functions in a plant. It helps to balance hormones like auxin which impact plant growth.

  • Nitrogen Metabolism:

Boron is especially important for nitrogen fixation in legume crops. It is required for rhizobia nodule development along legume roots.

  • Fruit & Seed Development:

Boron is vital to reproductive processes including pollen viability and germination, pollen tube elongation, fruit and seed development.

Deficiency Symptoms in Plants:

Note: Deficiency symptoms can present differently depending on the crop species

Boron is an immobile plant nutrient. Symptoms therefore will typically occur in the youngest leaves and growth points.

  • Plant Growth:

Stunted and/or distorted growth.

  • Leaf Symptoms:
    • Young leaves may be small, curled, thickened or distorted.
    • Brittle texture, cracked stems and leaf midribs.
    • Interveinal yellowing or reddish-purple discolouration.
  • Growth Points:
    • Severe deficiency can lead to death of growth points.
  • Flowers and Fruit:
    • Poor or failed bud development.
    • Reduced or failed flowering or fruiting.
    • Deformed, cracked or discoloured fruit.
    • Poor seed quality.
  • Roots:
    • Shortened, thickened, stubby roots with darkened or necrotic tips.
    • Internal browning in root vegetables.
  • Crop Specific:
    • Maize:
      • Shortened internodes.
      • White or yellow spots on upper leaves,
      • White streaks along length of leaves.
      • Deformed cobs with incomplete filling.
      • Shortened or absent silks.
    • Tomatoes:
      • Hollow or “puffy” fruits, and shoulder cracking.
      • Spotting on fruit.
    • Fruit:
      • Apples: Internal “water core”.
      • Pears: Dieback of new shoots and hard brown flecks inside the fruit.
    • Brassicas:
      • Stunted or distorted growth.
      • Hollow stems, sometimes with a brown discoloration.
      • Poor curd development in cauliflower.
      • Cracked petioles and midribs.
    • Root crops:
      • Hollow, cracked, or discolored stems.
      • Internal brown rot or discoloration.
      • Rough, cankered patches on the roots.
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