Boron toxicity thresholds in field-grown maize fertilized with ulexite incorporated into a clayey Oxisol
- 1School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP)
- 2Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul
Abstract
Boron (B) management in tropical maize is constrained by the narrow range between deficiency and toxicity, particularly when soluble sources are applied in-furrow in highly weathered Oxisols. We evaluated field-based soil and foliar B toxicity thresholds for maize (Zea mays L.) fertilized with broadcast-incorporated ulexite (10% B) in a clayey Oxisol (54% clay). Five B rates (0, 3, 9, 27, and 81 kg B ha− 1) were tested in a randomized block design during the 2023–2024 growing season in Brazil. Grain yield reached a maximum of 6,391 kg ha at 31 kg B ha− 1 and declined by 10% at 69 kg B ha− 1, establishing the agronomic toxicity threshold. This threshold corresponded to 7.7 mg B dm− 3 in soil and 118 mg B kg− 1 in diagnosis leaves. Increasing B supply promoted B accumulation in soil and plant tissues, increased the flavonoid index, and reduced chlorophyll, nitrogen balance index, net photosynthesis, and grain yield; malondialdehyde (MDA) followed a significant U-shaped response, with higher concentrations at the lowest and highest B rates than at intermediate, agronomically adequate doses. Principal component analysis confirmed coordinated physiological and nutritional responses to excessive B supply. These findings provide field-based toxicity benchmarks specific to maize fertilized with broadcast-incorporated ulexite in a clayey tropical Oxisol, supporting safer corrective B fertilization strategies.
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BibTeX
@article{prado2026boron,
title = {{Boron toxicity thresholds in field-grown maize fertilized with ulexite incorporated into a clayey Oxisol}},
author = {Renato de Mello Prado and Mayara Fávero Cotrim and João Victor da Silva Santos and Angel Camurça da Silva and Cid Naudi Silva Campos and Antonio Márcio Souza Rocha and Emilaine da Rocha Prado},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-63181-z},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-63181-z},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Boron toxicity thresholds in field-grown maize fertilized with ulexite incorporated into a clayey Oxisol
AU - Renato de Mello Prado
AU - Mayara Fávero Cotrim
AU - João Victor da Silva Santos
AU - Angel Camurça da Silva
AU - Cid Naudi Silva Campos
AU - Antonio Márcio Souza Rocha
AU - Emilaine da Rocha Prado
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/01
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-63181-z
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-63181-z
AB - Boron (B) management in tropical maize is constrained by the narrow range between deficiency and toxicity, particularly when soluble sources are applied in-furrow in highly weathered Oxisols. We evaluated field-based soil and foliar B toxicity thresholds for maize (Zea mays L.) fertilized with broadcast-incorporated ulexite (10% B) in a clayey Oxisol (54% clay). Five B rates (0, 3, 9, 27, and 81 kg B ha− 1) were tested in a randomized block design during the 2023–2024 growing season in Brazil. Grain yield reached a maximum of 6,391 kg ha at 31 kg B ha− 1 and declined by 10% at 69 kg B ha− 1, establishing the agronomic toxicity threshold. This threshold corresponded to 7.7 mg B dm− 3 in soil and 118 mg B kg− 1 in diagnosis leaves. Increasing B supply promoted B accumulation in soil and plant tissues, increased the flavonoid index, and reduced chlorophyll, nitrogen balance index, net photosynthesis, and grain yield; malondialdehyde (MDA) followed a significant U-shaped response, with higher concentrations at the lowest and highest B rates than at intermediate, agronomically adequate doses. Principal component analysis confirmed coordinated physiological and nutritional responses to excessive B supply. These findings provide field-based toxicity benchmarks specific to maize fertilized with broadcast-incorporated ulexite in a clayey tropical Oxisol, supporting safer corrective B fertilization strategies.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -