The time is now – Combat Boron deficiency head on!
Picture this: more than 50% of Western Canada’s soils are testing low to very low in Boron! This trend of boron deficiency is not unique to our region and is a global concern. Sadly, our soils are not exempt from this prevalent micronutrient deficiency and the productivity and overall yield of our crops are paying the price.
Boron is vital to plant health, as it is essential for cell wall formation and rapid growing points within the plant, such as reproductive structures. The inadequate formation of reproductive structures disrupts the crucial processes of flowering and fruit set. Ultimately, this diminishes the quantity and quality, and our crops are unable to achieve their full yield potential.
Watch the video below (3.5 min) to learn how to proactively address a Boron deficiency:
- Functions of Boron
- Factors affecting Boron availability
- Symptoms of Boron deficiency
- Best timing of Boron application and in-season options.
What’s the best time to apply Boron?
To determine the best time to apply Boron, a third-party trial was conducted. Research showed an application of Kinetic Boron at herbicide timing resulting in a 3.5 bu/ac yield advantage over the untreated check. When the application of Kinetic Boron was applied at both herbicide and fungicide timing, there was an increase of 4.5 b/ac.
When a soil application of Kinetic Boron was paired with a herbicide and fungicide application of boron, they observed more than a 7.2 bu/ac advantage! If you take away one thing from these results, take this – when it comes to boron, it pays to GO EARLY + GO OFTEN. If you wait until flowering time to apply boron, your yield has already been lost.
Best options to proactively address boron deficiency:
- A soil application followed by a foliar application
- If you can’t get in for a soil application, do two foliar applications – One at herbicide timing followed by an application at fungicide timing.
Due to the compatibility of the Kinetic product line with herbicides and fungicides, these product options fit easily into an integrated crop plan to address boron deficiency. The Kinetic line is compatible with ReLeaf and 42Phi. Check out the ATP compatibility tool HERE to see how you can add these products into your existing plans.