Foliage applied boron improves the panicle fertility, yield and biofortification of fine grain aromatic rice

• A Rehman ^[1] ; M Farooq ^[1] ; Z Ata Cheema ^[1] ; A Nawaz ^[1] ; A Wahid ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Agriculture

     University of Agriculture

     Pakistán

     
• Localización: Journal of soil science and plant nutrition, ISSN-e 0718-9516, ISSN 0718-9508, Vol. 14, Nº. 3, 2014, págs. 723-733
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Boron (B) deficiency in rice field is becoming a common problem in South Asia. Correcting B deficiency in rice has potential to improve the rice productivity. Foliage application of B is an easy and effective way to resolve this problem. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of foliage applied (0.16, 0.24, 0.32, 0.40 and 0.48 M) B on leaf elongation, tillering, water relations, yield and B grain enrichment of rice cultivars Super Basmati and Shaheen Basmati. Foliage applied B improved leaf elongation, tillering, leaf chlorophyll contents, water relations, grain yield, yield-related traits and B grain contents with simultaneous decrease in panicle sterility. However, foliage application of 0.32 M B was the most effective in this regard. An increase in leaf and grain B contents was observed with increase in B concentration in the foliar spray. There was no difference between the cultivars for grain yield; however, Shaheen Basmati had more grain weight, and grain and leaf B contents than Super Basmati. Boron foliage application (0.32 M B) proved an effective way to correct B deficiency in rice. Improvement in grain yield by B application was attributed to increase in grain size and decrease in panicle sterility.