Macronutrients are essential elements utilized by plants in relatively large amounts for a healty plant growth. Each of these elements has a significant function in plant nutrition. The primary macronutrients are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potash (K), Sulphur (S), Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg).
In addition to these elements, plants also need other elements described as micronutrients.
The only difference between macronutrients and micronutrients are the required quantities. Although micronutrients are required in small quantities, they are as important as macronutrients in plant nutrition. Even all other essential nutrients are present in required amounts, it can limit the quality and yield if one of the micronutrients is insufficient.
Boron (B) is one of the micronutrients essential for plant growth.
topBoron plays a major role in plant nutrition. Some functions of boron are correlated with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium(K) and calcium(Ca) in plants.
Adequate B nutrition is critical for quality of crops and high yields.
The main functions of boron are related to:
Soil parent material and texture are considered to be the major soil factors associated with the occurrence of B deficiency. Climate, particularly high rainfall conditions and low temperature are factors that need to be considered in relation to the occurrence of B deficiency.
Boron deficiency in crops may be suspected on the basis of symptoms and by plant analysis, and anticipated by soil analysis. Boron deficiency can be prevented and corrected by both soil and foliar applications.
top
Certain crops are known to be highly susceptible to lack of boron while some are moderately.
Highly Susceptible |
Moderately Susceptible |
||||
Apples | Coffee | Oil Palm | Asparagus | Cocoa | Pear |
Cabbage | Cotton | Rapeseed | Barley | Coconut | Potato |
Cauliflower | Cucumber | Sugarbeet | Beans | Lettuce | Radish |
Celery | Groundnut | Sunflower | Broccoli | Maize | Rice |
Carrot | Mango | Turnip | Citrus | Papaya | Soybean |
Alfalfa | Clover | Peach |
Boron deficiency can be remedied by correct and timely application of solid or liquid B-fertilizers. Depending on the soil analysis, climatic conditions, previous cropping and the plant species application method can be changed.
top
PARTICULARS |
ACTIBOR 11 |
ACTIBOR 15 |
ACTIBOR 17 |
ACTIBOR 20 |
ACTICOL G |
Chemical Name | Di Sodium Tetraborate Decahydrate | Di Sodium Tetraborate Pentahydrate | Boric Acid | Di Sodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate | Mineral Calcium Borate |
Chemical Formula | Na2B4O7 .10H2O | Na2B4O7.5H2O | H3BO3 | Na2B8O13.4H20 | Ca2B6O11.5H2O |
Boron content as % B2O3 |
36.4 % Typical | 48 % Typical | 56.25 % Typical | 67.5% Typical | 38 % Min |
Boron content as % B |
10.5 % Min | 15% Min | 17% Min | 20.50 % Min | 12% Min |
Appearance | White, crystalline solid | White, crystalline solid | White, crystalline solid | White, powder | Greyish sandy substance |
Solubility in water | Soluble | Soluble | Soluble | Readily Soluble | Sparingly Soluble |
pH of water solution | Mildly Alkaline | Mildly Alkaline | Acidic | Neutral | Alkaline |
ACTIBOR 15 G |
ACTICOL U10 |
ACTICOL U15 |
Disodium Tetraborate Pentahydrate | Hydrated Sodium calcium Borate Hydroxide | Calcined Sodium calcium Borate Hydroxide |
Na2B4O7.5H2O | Na2=.2Cao.B2O3.5H2O | Na2O.2Cao%B2O3.nH2O |
48% typical | 34 ±1% typical | 46 ±1% typical |
15% min | 10.5 ±0.5% | 14 ± 0.5% |
White crystalline granules | Dull white powder or granules | Greyish coarse powder |
Soluble | Partially soluble | Partially soluble |
Mildly alkaline | Alkaline | Alkaline |
For Recommendations please click here.
"Before this I never used boron on my crops, even I also do not know that kinds of products. Then, after the field trials, I look by my own by getting the result is goods which my paddy crops is taller and the grains is most of them is fully. When compare with my neighbour plot, it is obviously different. –Mr Sharip, farmers in Tanjung Karang
"
"Although it just after one month application of boron on my crops, I surprises that my paddy was look more greener and the growth more uniform rather than the plot that I do not use the boron. The application is also easy because I just can mix it with urea and directly applies to soil before transplanting. So, I do not need to worry to increase my labour cost. I can't wait to see the yield and I intend to use this product in the future. –Mr Shafiee, farmers in Pendang Kedah
"
"From my experiences, I never know that boron is required for pineapple. Then, after observation during trials periods, one month of boron application we can observe the effects of boron on the pineapple. We can compare that the leaves of pineapple is greener and its leaves are wider than the control. Boron also reduces the percentage of physiological disorder of sucker of pineapple during in field. –Mr Anuar. Malavsian Pineapple Board Officer
"
"Actibor 17 Powder high quality Boron to apply as fertilizer via foliar. –Gipson Ltda / Colombia
"
"Actibor 20, has good Boron Quality, High soluble specially to apply via foliar. –Novedades E Innovadora Agroquimicos S.A. / Guatemala
"