Determination of useful boron content of the soils of Kırıkhan-Kumlu region of Hatay province and their relationship with some soil properties

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to determine the useful boron content of the soils of Kırıkhan-Kumlu region of Hatay province and its relationships with some physical and chemical properties. For this purpose, a total of 60 soil samples were taken from 0-20 and 20-40 cm depths and from 30 different points to represent the study area. The pH, total salt, composition, cation exchange capacity (CEC), lime, organic matter and useful boron contents of the soils were determined. 
 According to the results of the research; pH contents of the soils were 7.95-8.43; total salt contents 0.009-0.115 %; clay contents 18.88-74.16 %; sand contents 7.12-59.84 %; silt contents 15.28-52.72 %; lime contents 0.47-26.59 %; organic matter contents 1.16-6.08 %; CEC contents 22.26-72.83 me/100 g and useful boron contents 0.10-1.25 mg/kg. In terms of useful boron content of Kırıkhan-Kumlu soils of Hatay province, it was determined that 50.00 % of them were very low, 40.00 % were low and 10.00 % were sufficient at 0-20 cm depth and 50.00 % of them were very low, 43.34 % were low and 6.66 % were sufficient at 20-40 cm depth. While a positive significant relationship was determined between useful boron and salt, clay, lime and CEC contents of soils, a negative significant relationship was determined between useful boron and sand content. Positive significant relationships were determined between salt and clay, lime and CEC contents of the soils, while negative significant relationships were determined between salt and pH and sand contents. Positive significant relationships were determined between clay and organic matter and CEC contents of the study area soils, while negative significant relationships were determined between clay and sand and silt contents. Significant negative relationships were determined between sand and organic matter and CEC contents of the soils. At the same time, while negative significant relationships were determined between silt and CEC and lime and organic matter contents of the soils, positive significant relationships were determined between organic matter and CEC. 
 As a result, it was seen that the useful boron content of the soils in the study area was determined at low and very low levels above 92 % in all soils of the study area and it was seen that the useful boron content of the soils was insufficient and therefore boron fertilization should be done.