Boron Deficiency

Boron is a micronutrient that is required in very small amounts by vegetable crops and other plants. Brassica crops have relatively high boron requirements, and are therefore most susceptible to boron deficiency, though other crops may also be affected. Boron is required for many different aspects of plant cell functioning, including  protein synthesis, development of cell walls, carbohydrate metabolism and sugar transport, pollen growth, fruit set, and seed production. 

Identification:

Because of boron’s involvement in cell growth, symptoms of boron deficiency are expressed at growing tips of the root or shoot, and generally include stunting and distortion of the growing tip that can lead to tip death, brittle foliage, and yellowing of lower leaf tips. Flowering and fruiting are reduced and developing fruit is often distorted. In brassicas, boron deficiency can cause root crops, especially rutabaga, to develop soft brown centers, a disorder called “brown heart”.

Symptoms of boron deficiency in cole crops can vary. Cabbage heads may be small and yellow, while other cole crops can develop cracked petioles, stems, and midribs. Boron applications are not recommended to prevent hollow stem in the field. For more information on hollow stem, click here. Additionally, cauliflower curds may be stunted or turn brown, and leaves may roll and curl. It is important to note that cole crops are also sensitive to boron toxicity if boron is over-applied, resulting in scorching at the margins of older leaves. 

Favorable Conditions:

Boron is most available for uptake by plants in neutral soils, and becomes less available in acidic or alkaline soil. Boron deficiency occurs most frequently in sandy soils with low organic matter content as it is susceptible to leaching, and in soil with low moisture content. Symptoms of boron deficiency will generally begin to appear when available boron in the soil is below 1 ppm, and when boron in tissue is below 20 ppm. Boron toxicity is not common in the east, as our soils have naturally low boron levels and boron leaches easily out of the soil. Symptoms of boron toxicity will appear above 5 ppm available boron in the soil, and above 200 ppm in tissue.

Crop Requirements:

--From Boron Deficiencies and Toxicities in Vegetable Crops by Gordon Johnson, Extension Vegetable & Fruit Specialist, University of Delaware Cooperative Extension

Crops with high boron requirements (3 lbs/A): Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, rutabaga, turnips, beets, and swiss card, spinach

Crops with medium boron requirements (2 lbs/A): Asparagus, carrots, cucurbits, eggplants, leeks, okra, onions, parsnips, radishes, strawberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, potatoes

Crops with low boron requirements (1 lb/A): Peppers, sweet potatoes

Crops with very low boron requirements (no application): Beans, peas

Management:

Soils deficient in boron can be amended with boron fertilizer such as Borax, boric acid, and Solubor, based on soil tests and crop requirements. In high pH soils, foliar applications are preferred. Once symptoms of boron deficiency are observed, it is usually too late to apply boron. Different cultivars vary in their susceptibility to boron deficiency. 

 

Sources: Compendium of Brassica Diseases, eds. S.R. Rimmer, V.I. Shattuck, and L. Buchwaldt; "Calcium and Boron Deficiencies in Brassica Crops", Gordon Johnson, Extension Vegetable & Fruit Specialist