Articles
COMPARISON BETWEEN SPEEDFOLTM B SP AND BORAX IN SATISFYING THE BORON REQUIREMENT OF OIL PALM
Article number
984_39
Pages
329 – 333
Language
English
Abstract
Two experiments, one carried out by the Makin Group, and the other by the P.T.J.A. Wattie, Indonesia, were conducted to determine whether reduced rates of Speedfol B were as effective as conventional rates of Borax in affecting leaf B concentration of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) In both experiments, leaf samples were taken 2, 6, 10, or 12 weeks after B application to assess if differences in rate of effect would occur.
In the experiment carried out by the Makin Group, where five-year-old palms were used, 100 g of Borax applied per palm was compared with 88 or 53 g of Speedfol B applied per palm.
Fifty-three grams per palm of Speedfol B was applied in both dry powder form, and in suspension with 10 L water around the main stem.
The B concentration in leaves from trees receiving dry Speedfol B applied at 88 g or 53 g per palm did not differ from those of trees receiving 100 g Borax per palm.
In contrast, leaves from the trees receiving the low rate of Speedfol B suspended in water had lower B concentrations than those from trees receiving the higher rate of B as Borax.
Leaf B concentration bore no apparent relation to the time delay in taking leaf samples after application.
In the experiment carried out by P.T.J.A. Wattie, where three-year-old palms growing in peat-soil were used, 50 g of dry Borax, or 40 or 30 g of dry Speedfol B was applied per palm.
Thirty grams of Speedfol B per palm also were applied in 5 L of water around the main stem.
The B concentrations in leaves from trees receiving 40 or 30 g of dry Speedfol B or 30 g of wet Speedfol B were not different from those of trees receiving 50 g of Borax.
Leaf B concentration bore a quadratic relation with the time delay in taking leaf samples after B application.
In both experiments, a difference relating to B product or rate or method of application in relation to leaf sampling date was not apparent.
In the experiment carried out by the Makin Group, where five-year-old palms were used, 100 g of Borax applied per palm was compared with 88 or 53 g of Speedfol B applied per palm.
Fifty-three grams per palm of Speedfol B was applied in both dry powder form, and in suspension with 10 L water around the main stem.
The B concentration in leaves from trees receiving dry Speedfol B applied at 88 g or 53 g per palm did not differ from those of trees receiving 100 g Borax per palm.
In contrast, leaves from the trees receiving the low rate of Speedfol B suspended in water had lower B concentrations than those from trees receiving the higher rate of B as Borax.
Leaf B concentration bore no apparent relation to the time delay in taking leaf samples after application.
In the experiment carried out by P.T.J.A. Wattie, where three-year-old palms growing in peat-soil were used, 50 g of dry Borax, or 40 or 30 g of dry Speedfol B was applied per palm.
Thirty grams of Speedfol B per palm also were applied in 5 L of water around the main stem.
The B concentrations in leaves from trees receiving 40 or 30 g of dry Speedfol B or 30 g of wet Speedfol B were not different from those of trees receiving 50 g of Borax.
Leaf B concentration bore a quadratic relation with the time delay in taking leaf samples after B application.
In both experiments, a difference relating to B product or rate or method of application in relation to leaf sampling date was not apparent.
Authors
S.A. Oosthuyse, H.T. Holwerda, B. Desmet
Keywords
Elaeis guineensis Jacq., mineral nutrition, micronutrient, boron
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