Abstract
Micronutrient deficiencies are posing a growing challenge for sustaining agricultural productivity. Boron (B) deficiency severely limits crop yields, particularly in humid regions with well-drained coarse-textured soils, and necessitating for effective management. The research offers novel ground by integrating multi-season yield response with B fraction dynamics under varied application rates and frequencies in an Inceptisol, addressing a gap in sustainable micronutrient scheduling. The study determines the optimal rate and frequency of B application for the maize-sunflower system and evaluates environmental hazard with B fertilization in a B-deficient Inceptisol. Six-year field experiment on a B-sensitive cropping system tested three B frequencies (alternate-year, annual, twice a year) at four rates (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 kg B ha−1) with a control. B fractions were analyzed through sequential fractionation, and mobility factor assessed environmental risk. Yield versus B fraction relationships worked out using Pearson’s correlation. Critical and optimal B rates were estimated using yield-response models. Empirical findings demonstrated that continuous B application of 2 kg ha−1 significantly leveraged maize crop yield (6.61 t ha−1), while sunflower seed yield was highest (2.49 t ha−1) with the application of 1 kg B ha−1 twice a year. Across treatments, B fertilization affected all major soil B fractions, with RS-B ranged from 0.22–0.69 mg kg−1, SA-B from 0.31–1.32 mg kg−1, Org-B from 2.51–3.95 mg kg−1, and Ox-B from 1.19–3.85 mg kg−1, while the large and stable residual pool (50.17–51.85 mg kg−1) continued to dominate total B (54.4–61.7 mg kg−1). The economically optimal system productivity of 14.43 t ha−1 was obtained with twice a year application of 1.26 kg B ha−1. In soil, 0.662 mg kg−1 was figured out as the optimal available B concentration to attain the highest productivity. Correlation analysis indicated strong positive associations between yield and plant-available B fractions. Results showed that B application significantly enhanced maize grain yield, sunflower seed yield, and system maize equivalent yield (SMEY), along with soil B fractions, without any environmental risk. While higher B rates posed no environmental risk, they incurred unnecessary economic costs, highlighting the importance of frequent, moderate B applications to optimize yield and maintain soil B availability in B-deficient Inceptisol.
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Claims 7
Claim · model-written summary
Continuous boron at 2 kg ha−1 significantly increased maize yield to 6.61 t ha−1.
- Treatment
- continuous B application of 2 kg ha−1e0
- Outcome
- maize crop yielde0
- Direction
- leveragede0
- Value
- 6.61 t ha−1e0
Zea maysNot reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“continuous B application of 2 kg ha−1 significantly leveraged maize crop yield (6.61 t ha−1)”
Claim · model-written summary
Sunflower seed yield peaked at 2.49 t ha−1 with 1 kg B ha−1 applied twice yearly.
- Taxon
- sunflower
Helianthus annuuse0 - Treatment
- application of 1 kg B ha−1 twice a yeare0
- Outcome
- sunflower seed yielde0
- Direction
- higheste0
- Value
- 2.49 t ha−1e0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“sunflower seed yield was highest (2.49 t ha−1) with the application of 1 kg B ha−1 twice a year.”
Claim · model-written summary
The economically optimal system productivity was 14.43 t ha−1 with 1.26 kg B ha−1 twice yearly.
Verbatim
e0“The economically optimal system productivity of 14.43 t ha−1 was obtained with twice a year application of 1.26 kg B ha−1.”
t0“maize-sunflower”
Claim · model-written summary
Optimal soil available boron for maximum productivity was estimated at 0.662 mg kg−1.
Verbatim
e0“In soil, 0.662 mg kg−1 was figured out as the optimal available B concentration to attain the highest productivity.”
t0“maize-sunflower”
Claim · model-written summary
Yield had strong positive associations with plant-available boron fractions.
Verbatim
e0“Correlation analysis indicated strong positive associations between yield and plant-available B fractions.”
t0“maize-sunflower”
Claim · model-written summary
Boron application significantly enhanced maize grain yield, sunflower seed yield and system maize equivalent yield.
- Taxon
- maize-sunflowert0
- Treatment
- B applicatione0
- Outcome
- maize grain yield, sunflower seed yield, and system maize equivalent yielde0
- Direction
- enhancede0
Not reportedComparator
Verbatim
e0“B application significantly enhanced maize grain yield, sunflower seed yield, and system maize equivalent yield (SMEY)”
t0“maize-sunflower”
Claim · model-written summary
Higher boron rates incurred unnecessary economic costs.
Verbatim
e0“higher B rates posed no environmental risk, they incurred unnecessary economic costs”
t0“maize-sunflower”
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boron atom · yield · Zea mays (maize)Results differ
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