Here in NZ we are allowed (by org. certifier) around 10kgs of Borax per ha per annum and in our 6 pH soils this appears to have a very minimal influence on the B levels even when applied over several years.
Robin what ppm B levels do you consider 'normal'? Glen Robin Duchesneau wrote: > > Dorothy, > > Perhaps it would be wise to consider finding the source of the problem > and a long-term solution rather then a quick fix (a.k.a. adding an > external fertilizer source). > > Here is a few items for you to ponder. > > First why is your soil low on boron? > > 1. It's been shown that Alkaline soil conditions (pH > 7) limit the > availability of iron, zinc, manganese and BORON. How is your pH > doing? > > 2. Most plant available boron (B) is derived from the organic matter > and minerals. Because boron is water soluble, it can be leached into > the subsoil beyond the reach of root tips. How is your soil porosity > and organic content input? > > 3. Boron is also linked to Calcium levels. > > Is your low boron a serious problem? > > 1. Boron is involved in the uptake of calcium and is essential for > fruiting (note: other unknown effects too?!). Boron deficiency causes > a breakdown of the growing tips tissue or a softening of the terminal > growth. Internal tissues of beets, turnips, and rutabagas show > breakdown and corky, dark discoloration. What is it exactly that > you've observed on your crops? > > > Correcting Boron Deficiency > > The boron recommendations for soil applications are 1.5 > to 3 pounds for highly responsive crops and 0.5 to 1 > pound per acre for medium responsive crops. Occasionally, > certain deficient soils may require up to 5 pounds of > boron per acre for cauliflower and table beets. The > suggested rate for foliage application is 0.3 pound of > boron per acre in 30 gallons of water for highly > responsive crops and 0.1 pound for low to medium > responsive crops. > > The boron carrier most frequently used in fertilizer is > sodium borate, which ranges from 10 to 20 percent boron. > "Solubor" is a trade name for a sodium borate that is > 20.5 percent boron. This compound is commonly used in > foliar sprays or in liquid fertilizers. > > Because boron is fairly mobile in soils, several methods > of application can be used. Boron may be mixed with > regular N-P-K fertilizer, applied separately on the > soil, sprayed on the plant, topdressed (for alfalfa) or > sidedressed (for row crops). Be sure to mix completely > when boron is combined with other fertilizers. > Segregation due to particle size differences is often a > problem. Boron should never be used in combination > seedings containing legumes and grass or small grains > because it will injure the grass or small grains. Boron > for the legume should be topdressed after the grass has > become well established or the small grain companion crop > has been harvested. Be careful when banding fertilizers > containing boron near the seed or plants. Too much boron > near the seed or plant may be toxic to young plants or > germinating seeds. > > > > Good luck > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Dorothy O'Brien > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: June 27, 2002 10:50 AM > Subject: Re: Vam and boron > > Hugh and others-- > > Our soils test consistently low on boron. How would > you go about adding boron? A couple of people have > suggested spraying diluted borax but I am concerned > the other ingredients of borax would not be considered > organic. Plus, I can't tell from the borax box what > the other ingredients are. Thanks, Dorothy > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup > http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com -- Garuda Biodynamics - for BD Preps, Consultations, Books & Diagrams See our web site @ http://get.to/garuda