Sterility in Wheat and Response of Field Crops to Applied Boron in the Indo-Gangetic Plains

Abstract

Summary Results of field experiments across the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) region indicates that soil B deficiency induces sterility in wheat and results in poor crop yields of legumes and cereals. The deficiency of soil B and the response of crops to applied B generally increases from the northwestern to the eastern end of the IGP, this trend being influenced by the distribution of the soil parent material and the variation in the climatic conditions within the IGP. An earlier FAO study rated Nepal as the lowest of thirty countries in its soil B status and showed that a higher soil B deficiency problem exists in the eastern half of the Indian-IGP, therefore crop response to applied B is more likely in these areas. Few studies have made qualitative and quantitative assessment of sterility in wheat in the IGP and the positive response of other crops to B application also suggest B deficiency related sterility problems in these crops. Micronutrient research in the IGP often rates Zn followed by Fe and Mn deficiencies in some instances, as its major soil micronutrient deficiency problems. However, the deficiency of B perhaps is as important if not more, than Fe and Mn deficiency. The awareness of soil B deficiency is not as widespread as its occurrence in the IGP region. This article reviews and discusses the sterility problems in wheat and the response of several field crops to applied B to highlight the growing importance of soil B deficiency in the IGP.