Boron Nutrition in Horticultural Crops: Constraint Diagnosis and Their Management

Abstract

Out of 30 elements, 16 horticulture crops require them to thrive. All horticultural crops require boron, one of the necessary elements, to function. Extremely trace amounts of boron are present in soils. The majority of the boron that is readily available in humid areas is primarily contained in organic debris, which is broken down by microorganisms for the benefit of plants. In the tropics this element is leached down in soil due to heavy rainfall. As trace element B plays an important role in the growth and development of plants. Various crops exhibit symptoms of deficiency as well as of toxicity when there is even a slight aberration of available boron in soil. Therefore, it is imperative to study and understand the optimum requirement of B by specific crops. Boron also interacts with other elements and manifests in crop plants in various ways. This chapter attempts to understand some of the roles of boron in horticultural crops (fruits and vegetables) and its management for optimum growth and development in crop plants.