Effects of Boron foliar-fertilization on irrigated soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) in the Mississippi River Valley Delta of the midsouth, USA

Authors: Bruns, Herbert

Submitted to: Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/2/2017
Publication Date: 8/23/2017
Citation: Bruns, H.A. 2017. Effects of Boron foliar-fertilization on irrigated soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) in the Mississippi River Valley Delta of the midsouth, USA. Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science. 2(3):167-169.

Interpretive Summary: Boron deficiencies in soybean have been observed in some parts of the Mississippi Delta on soils with a high pH (>7.0) and a history of irrigation. A scientist at the USDA-ARS, Crop production Systems Research Unit in Stoneville, MS found, through a two year experiment on an irrigated silty clay soil with a pH=7.0 and soil B <0.8 ppm, that foliar fertilization of soybeans in the mid-reproductive growth stages did not consistently increase yields or seed weight.

Technical Abstract: Irrigated soybeans in the Mississippi Delta have been reported to with increased seed yields when fertilized with a boron (B). Furrow irrigated soybean cultivars were foliar fertilized with a B solution at growth stages R3 and/or R5. No consistent trends in yield or seed weight were noted. No phytotoxic effects of the B applications were noted as well. No advantage to foliar fertilization of soybean with B was observed in this experiment.