Comparison of Plant Available Boron Methods On NY Soils.

Boron (B) is one of the eight essential micronutrient required for normal growth of most plants. Current tools for B management in New York are limited to hot water soluble B extraction using 0.125% barium chloride (BaCl₂) extractant, which is time consuming and laborious. Our objectives were to compare the accuracy and effectiveness of 4 B extraction methods to identify plant available B. The extracting solutions tested were Morgan extractant (0.72N NaOAc+0.52N CH₃COOH), modified Morgan extractant (0.62N NH₄OH +1.25 N CH₃COOH), heated 0.02M CaCl₂ solution and the currently used Cornell Nutrient Analysis Laboratory method consisting of heated 0.125% BaCl₂ solution Two New York soils in four replications were treated with eight B rates (0, 6.72, 11.2, 22.4, 44.8, 67.2, 89.6, and 112 kg ha^-1) and incubated in the dark for two weeks at room temperature and field capacity. Results of the study will be presented and discussed.