Effect of fertilizers and boron on yield and boron uptake in wheat

An experiment was conducted on two low-fertility soils (Rhodic Ustochrepts and Ochric Fluvaquents). The main objective was to evaluate the effects of organic manure and boron on growth and yield in wheat. Four fertilizer treatments were used as main plots (control with no added fertilizer, farmyard manure (FYM), town compost and NPK mineral fertilizer), and two levels of boron were included as subplot treatments (control and borax 2.5 kg/ha). Soil samples throughout the soil profile were collected before the experiment. The NPK treatment produced the highest grain yield at both sites. Town compost plots yielded more than the FYM plots at Kalleritar, but less at Baireni. Application of boron improved grain yield in the well drained, medium-textured soil at Kalleritar. In the poorly drained and light-textured soils at Baireni, however, further investigation is needed before boron application can be recommended. Neither fertilizers nor boron increased the concentration of boron in the plants, but concentrations were all above the minimum needed.