Neutron-capture-radiography study of the distribution of boron in the leaves of coffee plants grown in the field

The use of the method of neutron-capture-radiography has been revealed to be quite sensitive and applicable to the study of the distribution of boron in plant tissues, even with the low-intensity neutron fluxes available in Costa Rica. The boron supplied by foliar spray homogenizes relatively well in coffee leaves. Foliar applied boron seems to be readily translocated within and out from treated leaves. This indicates that boron is phloem mobile in Coffea arabica. The foliar spray method thus appears to be well adapted to the treatment of boron deficiency in coffee trees under normal agronomic conditions.