Co-Authors:
Ben-Gal, A., Institute of Soil Water and Environmental Sciences, Department of Environmental Physics and Irrigation, Gilat Research Center, Israel, Gilat Research Center, Mobile Post Negev 2, 85280, Israel
Abstract:
Boron toxicity is commonly considered in terms of plant B uptake and accumulation. This work tested the hypothesis that foliar exposure of water with high B content leads to more severe toxicity reactions in plants as compared to exposure to high B simply through the soil solution. Growth and B uptake were studied in corn, tomatoes, onions, celery and radish where B laden water was applied with and without a component of foliar contact. Increased visual symptoms of B toxicity and decreased yields were found in plants with foliar applied B for all of the crops, while associated increased B tissue concentrations were not measured. The results imply that the relative toxicity of B entering through the leaves is greater than that of B entering via roots. Biomass reduction due to B was found to be a function of neither absolute B accumulation nor relative B mobility in the plant. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.