Elevate Boron Levels with Yield Booster

As described in previous columns, we’ve really been emphasizing micronutrients and their importance. We offer Yield Booster as an option for growers seeking a well-balanced fertilizer. Yield Booster blends N-P-K with seven micronutrients: boron, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, sodium molybate and zinc.

This week, I’ll focus on boron’s role in plant health and high-yielding crop programs. According to a guide sheet from the University of Minnesota, boron is involved in carbohydrate utilization, and it enables plants to pull water and nutrients from their root systems into other plant tissues. The University of Idaho shares that too little boron may stop plants from yielding fruits and seeds.

Boron supplementation may benefit soil that has a sandy composition. Sandy soils combined with too much moisture may trigger deficiencies because the boron could leach from the soil. Because organic matter releases boron as it decomposes, fields that lack soil organic matter or adequate moisture to initiate decomposition may show boron stress, according to the University of Minnesota.

Multiple crops can display symptoms if they lack sufficient boron. The University of Minnesota suggests that a boron deficiency in alfalfa may manifest itself as new growth that appears stunted. In some cases, stunted plants with short stature may grow among plants that reach a normal height. Corn plants that have had too little boron may have barren stalks and grow ears that appear small and twisted.

The University of Idaho reports that other crops susceptible to boron deficiencies include clover, canola, peas and fruit trees.

For more information about adding Yield Booster to your crop plan or managing boron levels, call us at (844) 242-4367.