Vol. 83 No: 4

Title:
Boron deficiency and toxicity in young persimmon (Diospyrus kaki L.)

Authors:
A. BAR-TAL, U. YERMIYAHU, M. KEINAN, I. FAINGOLD and A. BEN-GAL

pp: 469-473

Abstract:
Little information exists regarding boron (B) deficiency and toxicity in persimmon.The objective of this study was to quantify the response of young persimmon trees to a wide range of B concentrations – from deficiency to excess. Persimmon trees (Diospyrus kaki L. ‘Triumph’ on D. virginiana) were exposed to nutrient solutions containing B concentrations of 0.15, 0.33, 0.59, 1.01, 1.75, 2.75, 3.67 or 7.38 mg B l^-1. Boron accumulated in persimmon leaves linearly, as a function of increased concentration of B in the irrigation solution, exposure time, and age of the leaves. The highest levels of B were found at the end of the season and in the oldest leaves. Concentrations of B in leaves correlated with symptoms of B toxicity that appeared as chlorosis and necrosis of mature leaves, beginning at their margins. At low levels of B (0.15 and 0.33 mg l^-1), canopy development was restricted. Optimum growth was obtained with a B concentration of 0.59 mg l^-1. At high levels of B (≥ 1.0 mg l^-1), substantial visible symptoms of B toxicity were observed, and total accumulated biomass production was reduced.

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