The Determination of Soil Boron Fractions, Their Relationships to Soil Properties and the Availability to Olive (Olea europea L.) Trees

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate the various boron fractions in olive tree grown soils. The correlations between boron fractions in leaves, fruits and soil properties were examined. For this purpose cv “Gemlik” olive (Olea europaea L.) orchards were visited. Soil samples from 0–30 cm and 30–60 cm deep, the leaf and fruit samples were collected. The greatest proportion of total soil boron is present in residual form (85–88%). It is followed by organically bound B (2.84–4.50%), specifically adsorbed on soil colloid surfaces (0.93–1.31%), oxides (manganese oxyhydroxides, amorphous Fe and Al oxides, crystalline Fe and Al oxides) bound B (7.27–8.31%). The smallest one readily soluble (extracting plant available) boron values were composed of only 0.40–0.50% of total boron ranging. To determine readily soluble boron five different extraction solutions were in the order Hot water ˃ 0.01 M CaCl₂ ˃ 1 M NH₄OAc ˃ 0.1 M KCl ˃ 0.005 M DTPA. Fruit boron concentration and soil boron fractions showed close correlations than leaf boron concentration.

KEYWORDS:

• Boron
• testing methodology
• soil fertility
• plant nutrition
• fruit

Additional information

Funding

This study is a part of the Project No: KUAP(Z)-2013/90 which was supported by the Research Fund of the University of Uludag, Bursa, Turkey.