EFFECTS OF APPLIED AND RESIDUAL BORON ON THE NUTRITION OF CABBAGE AND FIELD BEANS

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Abstract
Field experiments were conducted at four locations in Prince Edward Island to determine the effect of applied B on leaf tissue B and yields of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) in the year of application of B and again the following year. Application rates of 8.8 kg B∙ha−1 reduced bean seed yields at all locations and the 4.4-kg B∙ha−1 rate reduced yields at two locations in the first year. Leaf tissue B levels > 109 μg∙g−1 are clearly toxic for beans and seriously reduced bean yields. Furthermore, the yield and visual symptom data strongly suggest that tissue B levels even as low as 60 μg∙g−1 are toxic for this crop. No significant reductions in bean yields were noted in the second year crop, even at the 8.8 kg B∙ha−1 rate. Rates of up to 8.8 kg B∙ha−1 did not cause any reduction in cabbage yield even during the year of application. Leaf tissue B concentrations as high as 71–132 μg∙g−1 were not related to any B toxicity in cabbge. Added B did not increase yield of either beans or cabbage. Even though leaf tissue B levels as low as 16 μg∙g−1 in cabbage and 26 μg∙g−1 in beans occurred, no B deficiency was found. After the first and second years of beans the hot-water-soluble B in the soil ranged from 1.4 to 1.9 and from 0.8 to 1.2 μg∙g−1, respectively, where B had been applied at 8.8 kg∙ha−1. Key words: Cabbage, beans, boron toxicity, tissue boron, yields