Increasing use efficiency of boron fertilisers by rescheduling the time and methods of application for crops in India

Abstract

Boron-deficiency is prevalent in lighttextured acidic soil regions receiving high precipitation. Crop use efficiency of fertiliser B is also low under such B-leaching environments. For high leaching regimes, we hypothesised that the optimal timing and method of B application would vary with the crop sensitivity to B-deficiency and periods of peak demand for B. The aim of the present experiment was to vary the timing and method of B application to increase use efficiency on typical B-deficient Entisols. Mustard (Brassica campestris L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) were the test crops. There were seven treatment combinations of B, applied either to soil or as foliar sprays at different doses and growth stages of the crops. Biomass and yield related characters of the crops at harvest, B concentration in plants and its uptake increased with B application being highest in mustard, followed by potato and wheat. Foliar application, in general had higher economic benefits than soil application. Split application of B either to soil (as basal and 25 days after sowing) or foliar sprays (at 25 and 40 and 25 and 45 days after sowing for mustard and potato, respectively) had an edge over a single application. For wheat, a single late application of B (at 45 or 60 days after sowing through soil or foliar spray, respectively) was more effective than the early or split application in increasing yields. Better use efficiency of B can thus be achieved if it is applied late for wheat but in splits over a longer period for mustard and potato with higher economic benefits.

The Effects of Fe, Mn and Zn Foliar Application on Yield, Ash and Protein Percentage of Forage Sorghum in Climatic Condition of Esfahan

“…Magnesium deficiency can impair export of photosynthate from leaves (Hermans, 2004), and reduces photosynthetic efficiency (Skinner & Matthews, 1990). Recent studies research had show that a small amount of nutrients, particularly Zn, Fe and Mn applied by foliar spraying increases significantly the yield of crops (Sarkar et al, 2007;Wissuwa et al, 2008;Bybordu & Mamedov, 2010;Sajedi, 2010). It was documented that zinc foliar application is a simple way for making quick correction of plant nutritional status, as reported for wheat (Erenoglu et al, 2002) and maize (Grzebisz et al, 2008).…”

Application of biofertilizers and zinc increases yield, nodulation and unsaturated fatty acids of soybean

“…Low solubility of Zn in soils rather than low total amount of Zn is the major reason for the widespread occurrence of Zn deficiency problem in crop plants. Recent research has shown that a small amount of nutrients, particularly Zn applied by foliar spraying significantly increases the yield of crops (Sarkar et al, 2007). Nano particles with small size and large surface area are expected to be an ideal material for use as a Zn fertilizer in plants.…”

Impact of Different Zinc Application Methods on Yield and Yield Components of Various Wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.) Cultivars

“…The data presented in In case of zinc application methods there was also significant relation noticed. Zinc plays an important role in synthesis of growth hormone, starch formation and maturation which increase the weight of seed [16]. Zinc application increase 1000-grain weight that might due to zinc that has high phloem mobility from leaves to roots, stem and developing grains [17].…”