Foliar application of boron improved the yield and quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a calcareous field

Abstract

Boron (B) is vital for crops and helps in grain setting, but its deficiency is increasing due to its fixation in calcareous soils of Pakistan which results in premature opening of spikelets and failure of grain production in wheat thus leading to the reduced crop yield and economic return. To overcome this problem, a field trial was carried out at Agronomy Research Farm, University of Agriculture Faisalabad for analyzing the effectiveness of different levels of B spray on wheat. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was used for allocation of treatments. Treatments included were eight levels of B (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, 4%) along with water spray and control (without any treatment). Boron solution of different concentrations was prepared by dissolving required quantity of boric acid in water. Foliar application of 1.5% B solution produced maximum spike length (12.66 cm), grains spike-1 (50), seed index/1000-grains weight (35g), biological yield (9.85 t ha-1), grain yield (4.72 t ha-1), harvest index (47.88 %), proteins (11.90 %), carbohydrates (66.96%) and benefit to cost ratio (1.31) when compared with all other levels. Overall, it is depicted that 1.5% B applied by foliar spray at booting stage triggered both yield and quality of wheat.

Keywords

• boron
• boric acid
• calcareous soil
• foliar spray
• wheat