Critical Limit of Available Boron for Berseem in Major Soils of Lesser Himalayas (Kashmir)

ABSTRACT

The critical limit of boron (B) in soils and plant (berseem, Trifolium alexandrinum) was determined through a pot culture experiment with 10 soils of Kashmir, representing 10 major districts of the valley falling under three altitudinal locations viz. low, medium and high. Hot water soluble (HWS) B in these soils was positively and significantly correlated with the dry matter yield of berseem, B concentration in plant tissues and B uptake. A positive significant correlation was also observed between pH and HWS B. The critical concentration of soil available B and plant tissues B was 0.48 ppm and 23.0 ppm for first cutting and 0.49 ppm and 19.0 ppm, respectively. Almost 50% of the soils studied were found to be deficient in B.

KEYWORDS:

• Berseem
• Bray’s percent yield
• critical limits
• HWS boron