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Monday, February 01, 2010, Safar 16, 1431

Boron fertilizer increases production of wheat, cotton

Faisalabad—The usage of Boron fertilizer increases the production of wheat and cotton from 6 percent to 9 percent and from 13 percent to 19 percent respectively, according to a study conducted by PhD scholar from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF). The research titled “Boron dynamics alkaline calcareous soils and its availability under water-cotton cropping system” was conducted by PhD scholar Abid Niaz under the supervision of Dr Atta Muhammad Ranjha from UAF.

The production of cotton and wheat, which is considered as a backbone of agricultural industry has shown signs of stagnating during the proceeding decade owing to improper fertilizer management and non-exploitation of micronutrients especially boron, it added.

The study revealed that 82 percent of soils are deficient in boron responsible for low production per acre. Water analysis (canal and tube wells water) showed that boron concentration is more in tube wells water as compared to that canal water.

Boron is one of the seventeen essential elements that is required for normal growth and maturity of plants, it added. These experiments were conducted at three textured soils including loam, sandy clay loam and silt loam and silt loam and ten boron treatments were applied to soil at sowing along with recommended at NPK fertilizers for cotton and wheat.

Five boron levels were used for foliar application on cotton before flowering, at flowering and at boll formation stages. Foliar use of boron increased the seed cotton yield at all the soils. The boron fertilizer also enhances the production of wheat. Before any boron fertilizer programme, complete soil, plant and water analysis is recommended and based on that analysis; boron fertilizer should be used because there is a narrow range/ window between sufficiency and toxicity of boron.

Soil boron concentration can be determined by 0.05 M HCI and it is best replacement of hot water soluble boron in alkaline calcareous soils of Pakistan. Wheat is more sensitive to boron than cotton so its application should be carefully managed for wheat. The most favorable boron application level for increased wheat yield is 0.75 to 1.5 kg B Ha -1 whereas two and three kg B Ha -1 decreased the yield due to toxicity, the research added.—APP

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