1、The Effect Of Boron On Citrus Trees
High levels of boron can produce yellowing of leaf tips and margins, eventually causing leaf death. Citrus trees and rootstock vary slightly in how they are affected.
2、SL406/SS619: Boron (B) and Chlorine (Cl) for Citrus Trees
In Florida, boron toxicity of citrus usually results from the addition of excess borax or similar B materials. The first symptom of B toxicity in the leaves begins with yellowing and death of the leaf tip.
3、Excessive boron fertilization
Boron (B) is an essential micronutrient for plant growth and development; however, the process of B toxicity in citrus production is still poorly understood. We proposed a hypothesis that B toxicity in citrus trees is related to the characteristics of B transport from soil to leaf or fruit.
Citrus and Lemon Tree Leaves Yellowing
Citrus and lemon tree leaves yellowing? This is an indication of chlorosis. This is commonly caused by a deficiency in micronutrients, particularly Nitrogen. Learn how to treat your lemon trees and prevent chlorosis in the future.
Citrus Physiological and Molecular Response to Boron Stresses
Since the essentiality of boron (B) to plant growth was reported nearly one century ago, the implication of B in physiological performance, productivity and quality of agricultural products, and the morphogenesis of apical meristem in plants has widely been studied.
Boron is High in Many Southern San Joaquin Valley Citrus Trees
Excessive levels of boron produce a yellowing of the tip of leaves and yellow spotting of the leaf surface. Death of the leaf tissue may occur along the margins. Higher levels of boron may cause brownish, resinous gum spots on undersides of leaves but this symptom is not always present.
Feed Your Citrus Trees – Master Gardener Association of San Diego County
So, when your citrus tree presents leaves that are not a solid green, your soil might be lacking key micronutrients like zinc, iron, magnesium, manganese, and boron. Symptoms associated with specific deficient micronutrients: Zinc deficient foliage causes yellow mottling between the large leaf veins.
(PDF) BORON NUTRITION IN CITRUS
Diagnosis and management of nutrient constraints are the two important pillars of sound citrus fertilizer program, although its history in India is as old as cultivation of citrus.
What Causes Yellowing Leaves On Citrus Trees?
Yellowing leaves, also known as chlorosis, are a sign that your citrus tree is struggling. The main reasons for yellowing citrus tree leaves include overwatering and nutrient deficiencies, which can cause the leaves to turn yellow.
Citrus Fruits and Boron: What You Need to Know
Boron is an essential mineral for citrus plant growth and function, but it is often lacking in many soils. Extensive deficiency (39-68%) is observed in red and lateritic soils and leached acidic soils within the hot semi-arid ecoregion.
Boron fertilizer is an essential micronutrient for plants and plays a crucial role in the growth and development of citrus trees. excessive application of boron fertilizer may lead to yellowing of citrus leaves, characterized by thinning, brittleness, and even defoliation in severe cases. Below is a detailed explanation of how boron fertilizer can induce yellowing in citrus trees.
1. The Role of Boron Fertilizer in Citrus Trees
Boron is a vital microelement required for plant growth. It significantly contributes to the development of citrus trees. Boron promotes root system expansion, enhancing the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients, thereby improving overall stress resistance. Additionally, boron stimulates flower bud differentiation, increases bud quality, and supports high fruit yields. It also boosts chlorophyll synthesis in leaves, improving photosynthetic efficiency, which enhances fruit quality and productivity.
2. Risks of Excessive Boron Fertilization
Despite its benefits, overapplication of boron fertilizer can cause yellowing in citrus trees. This occurs because boron availability in soil is influenced by factors such as pH, organic matter content, soil structure, and irrigation practices. When soil pH is imbalanced (too high or low), organic matter is deficient, soil structure is poor, or irrigation is improper, boron becomes less effective, leading to toxicity.
Excessive boron uptake by roots reduces the absorption of other essential nutrients due to competitive inhibition. high boron concentrations in leaves disrupt metabolic balance, triggering physiological disorders.
3. Symptoms of Boron Toxicity
Boron toxicity manifests as yellowing, thinning, and brittleness of leaves. These symptoms arise when boron accumulates beyond the plant’s metabolic needs, disrupting nutrient equilibrium and inducing cellular dysfunction.
4. Causes of Boron Toxicity
The primary reasons for boron toxicity include:
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Imbalanced Soil pH:
- High pH: Boron forms insoluble calcium borate, reducing its availability.
- Low pH: Boron combines with aluminum to form insoluble aluminum borate, further limiting availability.
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Low Organic Matter Content: Soils with insufficient organic matter have weaker boron adsorption capacity, accelerating boron mobility and toxicity.
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Poor Soil Structure: Compacted or degraded soil structures increase boron leaching, exacerbating toxicity.
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Improper Irrigation: Excessive irrigation can leach boron into groundwater, while poor drainage concentrates boron in the root zone.
5. Prevention and Management Strategies
To prevent yellowing and boron toxicity in citrus trees, implement the following measures:
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Rational Fertilization: Tailor fertilization plans to the tree’s growth stage and soil conditions, avoiding excess boron or other nutrients.
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Adjust Soil pH: Use lime or ammonium sulfate to optimize pH, improving boron availability.
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Increase Organic Matter: Apply organic fertilizers or practice crop residue recycling to enhance boron adsorption.
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Improve Soil Structure: Perform deep tillage or plowing to reduce boron mobility.
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Optimize Irrigation: Irrigate based on soil moisture and crop water requirements to prevent boron leaching.
Yellowing in citrus trees caused by boron fertilizer results from imbalanced nutrient uptake due to excessive boron application. To mitigate this, adopt rational fertilization, pH adjustment, organic matter supplementation, soil structure improvement, and optimized irrigation practices.

