| Abstract: | Abstract Results of field trials with sunflowers grown on an Ultisol over three seasons indicated that applications of lime and gypsum had little effect on the boron concentration in plant tissues. Only when 30 kg borax/ha/annum had been applied did soil amelioration slightly but significantly decrease the B concentration in 1‐month‐old sunflower seedlings. Liming for three seasons significantly decreased the B concentration in the topmost mature leaf at flowering only when 30 kg borax/ha/annum had been applied and the pH (N KCl) was 4.4 and above. A pot experiment with the same soil was designed to test whether high pH levels affected B uptake. The reduction of toxic aluminum markedly increased top and root growth but higher rates of line had no further benefit. Liming significantly decreased the B concentration in seedling tope but the total B content of the tops was increased by liming. It appeared that liming to pH (N KCl) 7.0 did not adversely affect the uptake and translocation of B by sunflower roots, and that the decreased B concentration in seedling tops resulted from a dilution effect due to the benefit from liming. |
