Effect of Boron and Lime on Boron Transformation in a Fluvaquentic Humaquepts Soil Concerning Uptake and Yield of Green Gram

Abstract

Understanding different fractions and availability of boron (B) is essential while studying the response of crops towards B. Fractionation provides information about the chemistry of B and quantifies its bioavailability. Therefore, a pot experiment was performed during the 2019 pre-kharif season in acid soil to study soil B fractions and response of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) to B application. Lime is applied to such soils with the primary objective of increasing the productivity of crops by enhancing the availability of native and applied plant nutrients. On the contrary, availability of B in soil was increase due to liming. The treatments comprised of five levels of soil applied B (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg B kg−1) and two levels of lime, lime and no lime was used. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with three replications. The soil and pant growth parameters were recorded at a regular interval of 15 days after sowing, and at harvest. All the result revealed that the changes in different fractions of B (viz., readily soluble, specifically adsorbed, oxide bound, organically bound, residual and total B), its plant uptake and yield of green gram are significantly affected by the application of B and lime.  All the fractions contribute towards plant available boron form. Inter conversion between B fractions was also observed. The application of B and lime significantly influenced different B pools, boron uptake and yield of green gram.