Boron Estimation in Soil, Plant, and Water Samples using Spectrophotometric Methods

Abstract

Four spectrophotometric methods of boron (B) determination using azomethine-H, carmine, curcumin, and quinalizarin were compared to screen the most suitable one in estimating B concentration in diverse soils, plants and irrigation water samples. The azomethine-H method was the most sensitive in determining extractable B content of soils. All four methods, however, performed with equal efficiency for estimating B concentration in plant tissues. In the case of irrigation water, both carmine and azomethine-H were equally efficient in B determination. Natural concentration of interfering elements for the methods in all the tested soil, plant, and water samples were less than the tolerance limits. Because of sensitivity, ease of adaptation without using strong sulfuric acid, and rapidity, the azomethine-H method may be used for regular B determination in soil, plant, and irrigation water samples.

Keywords:

• Azomethine-H
• carmine
• curcumin
• quinalizarin
• spectrophotometric B determination

Acknowledgments

Authors are extremely grateful to L. N. Mandal, former professor of soil science, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, for kindly going through the manuscript and offering valuable suggestions.