Effect of Soil pH and Texture on the Availability of Water‐Soluble Boron in the Soil

Abstract

Abstract A greenhouse study was conducted with alfalfa to determine the relationship between water‐soluble B in the soil and plant uptake as affected by soil texture and pH. Soils used were Norfolk sandy loam, Hartsells fine sandy loam, and Decatur silty clay representing coarse‐, medium‐, and fine‐textured soils. Treatments included five rates of B at three pH levels. Yields and B content of plants were measured. After the plants were harvested, soils were analyzed for water‐soluble B and pH. Results showed that alfalfa grown on the coarse‐textured soil had the highest uptake of B per unit of water‐soluble B in the soil and the plants from the fine‐textured soil had the least. The medium‐textured soil was intermediate. As the acidity decreased from a pH value of 5 to 7, less B was available at any level of water‐soluble B in all three soil types. These results indicate that texture and pH must be considered when water‐soluble B is used as a measure of availability to plants.