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An Application of the Maas‐Hoffman Salinity Response Model for Boron Toxicity
Author(s) -
Bingham F. T.,
Strong J. E.,
Rhoades J. D.,
Keren R.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1985.03615995004900030029x
Subject(s) - sorghum , hordeum vulgare , salinity , boron , agronomy , shoot , poaceae , yield (engineering) , sorghum bicolor , phytotoxicity , chemistry , horticulture , biology , materials science , ecology , organic chemistry , metallurgy
The Maas‐Hoffman model for salinity tolerance was tested for boron toxicity (reduction in yields only) using wheat ( Triticum aestivum L., var. Inia 66R ), barley ( Hordeum vulgare L., var. Briggs), and sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L., var. Dekalb C42A) as test crops. These crops were grown to maturity in sand cultures containing low to excessive concentrations of boron. The leaf immediately below the Y‐leaf was collected at the early spike emergence stage and analyzed for boron. At harvest, the individual grain heads were collected, dried and weighed. Relative grain and shoot yields ( Y , %) were related to the boron concentration of the nutrient solution ( X , mg B L −1 ) using the following equation Y = 100 − m ( X − A ), where m is the decrease in yield per unit increase in soluble boron above the threshold concentration, and A , the maximum concentration not restricting yield (the threshold). The SALT computer program (van Genuchten, 1983) was used to derive the slope and threshold parameters. The respective threshold concentrations for the grain yields of wheat, barley, and sorghum were found to be 0.3, 3.4, and 7.4 mg B L −1 , respectively, which categorized these crops as being sensitive, moderately tolerant, and very tolerant to boron. The relationship between relative yield and leaf boron was linear for wheat whereas barley and sorghum followed the Maas‐Hoffman model. The threshold leaf B values with reference to grain yield were found to be 55, 768, 171 mg B kg −1 , respectively, for wheat, barley, and sorghum. The study indicates that yield under the influence of soluble boron may be fitted to the Maas‐Hoffman model for salt tolerance.