Potassium, Boron, Nitrogen, and Lime Effects on Corn Yield and Earleaf Nutrient Concentrations¹

Abstract

Intensified production practices have included irrigation and higherthan-traditional rates of N and K to reach high yield goals for com (ZI!Il mays L.). Previous studies have shown that B is low in southeastern Coastal Plain soils and that additions of high rates of N, K, and lime to soils low in B may decrease B availability. This 3-yr factorial experiment was conducted on a Dothan loamy sand (Piinthic Paleudults) to examine the effects and interactions of B, K, N, and lime on corn yield and earleaf nutrient concentrations with the objective of better defining B needs of intensive corn production. Two levels of B (0 and 2.24 kg ha-1 ), K (131 and 317 kg ha-'), N (202 and 426 kg ha-1 ), and lime (0 and 1120 kg ha-1 ) were employed. Corn yields showed a positive response to N in 1982, a negative response to lime in 1983, and no response to individual factors in 1984. There was a trend in 1982 and 1984 toward less yield (average 18.2% less) where high K was added with no B, compared to where low K was added with no B. There was a significant B X K interaction effect (P::50.05) on yield in 1984, and the same effect (P::50.01) appeared for the 3-yr combined analysis of variance. Earleaf B was influenced by N X B interaction in 1982 and lime X K interaction in 1984. The results showed that B fertilization was necessary to prevent yield reduction where high K fertilization was used.Additio111ll index words: Potassium-boron interaction, Leaf boron, Leaf potassium, Leaf calcium, Zea mays L., Irrigation.

Boron Deficiency in Soils and Crops: A Review

“…A significant relationship has been found between K and B fertilizers regarding their assimilation/uptake by crop plants as well as crop produce (Hill & Morrill, 1975). At heavy applications of K and other intensive production practices B may need to be applied to prevent reduction in corn yield (Woodruff et al, 1987). , Yang & Gu (2004) studied the effect of B on Al toxicity on seedlings of two soybean cultivars.…”

Trace Element‐Deficient Soils

“…This explains, at least partially, why the geographical pattern of B deficiency is more related to the cultivation of crops with high B demand than to soils and their parent materials [12]. Boron demand was found to be enhanced by high K supply in corn [44], while Graham et al [45] reported that B uptake was increased under Zn deficiency in barley. Boron deficiency is often associated with low-boron parent materials, such as many granitic and other igneous rocks (Table 9.2), but may also occur on limed peat soils [14].…”

Effect of Foliar Boron Fertilization of Fine Textured Soils on Corn Yields

“…Higher yields due to an early application of B compared to late B application were reported for rice in Missouri [42]. Woodruff et al [12] also reported an increase in corn yields due to B at 2.24 kg·ha −1 for soils receiving higher K fertilization (131-317 kg·ha −1 ). A beneficial effect of early applications of B for grain yields were also reported for wheat, rice and cotton [43].…”

“…Boron is relatively immobile in a corn plant and its availability is essential at all growth stages, particularly during fruit and seed development [2]. Boron deficiency in corn was first observed during the 1960s in the United States [11] and B applications showed more than a 10% increase in yield on coarse textured soils [12]. The B sufficiency range for corn was from 4 to 25 ppm in the ear leaf [13].…”

“…In corn, B deficiency caused barren ears and blank stalks at concentrations below 0.05 ppm which resulted in lower yields [13]. Woodruff et al reported that B interacted with N, K and lime while B fertilization at 2.24 kg·ha −1 was necessary for preventing a reduction in corn yields when higher K fertilizer rates were applied in South Carolina [12]. In B deficient soils, a B application increased plant B concentration which helped to improve the quality of corn fodder for animals without causing any significant increase in dry matter yield [14].…”