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Boron in Agriculture

Boron as a Plant Micronutrient

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.

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Roles of Boron As A Plant Nutrient

Boron 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:

Carbohydrate metabolism
Root elongation
Protein synthesis
Seed formation
Cell wall formation
Rate of cell development
Sugar transport
Membrane integrity
Pollination and fertilization
Nucleic acid metabolism
Lignification
Respiration

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Boron Deficiency

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.

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Crops Susceptible to Lack of Boron

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

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Correcting Boron Deficiency

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.

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Product Comparison Table

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

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Testimonials

"
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
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"
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
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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
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Actibor 17 Powder high quality Boron to apply as fertilizer via foliar. –Gipson Ltda / Colombia
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Actibor 20, has good Boron Quality, High soluble specially to apply via foliar. –Novedades E Innovadora Agroquimicos S.A. / Guatemala
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