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B deficiency in Ribes

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Scientific Name
Boron (B)
Atomic Number
5
Atomic Weight u
10.811
Elemental Group
Micro elements (B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Zn) | Micronutrients
Available Forms

Available forms of Boron (B) for use in Container Nursery Stock

  • Boric acid (H₃BO₃, “Boric acid”) – soluble; common foliar/drench source.
  • Sodium tetraborate decahydrate (Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O, “Borax”) – soluble; substrate or stock-solution source.
  • Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (Na₂B₈O₁₃·4H₂O, “Disodium octaborate”) – highly soluble; liquid concentrates (e.g., Solubor-type).
  • Boron ethanolamine (“Boron ethanolamine”) – liquid organic complex for fertigation/foliar use.
  • Sodium borate solutions (“Sodium borate solution”) – soluble borate complexes for stock solutions.
  • Boron frits (varied composition, “Slow-release B frits”) – controlled-release in container mixes.

Boron (B) Deficiency in Ribes – Container Nursery Stock

Symptoms

  • Death or distortion of growing points; new leaves thick, brittle or malformed.
  • Short, bushy plants with cracked or corky stems and petioles.
  • Flower and bud abortion; poor pollen viability.
  • Interveinal chlorosis may follow on young leaves in severe cases.

Causes

  • Low B in fertilizer/water or excessive leaching in soilless mixes.
  • Over-liming and high pH reducing B availability in containers.
  • Antagonism with high Ca or K and low root-zone moisture limiting B transport.
  • Drought or erratic irrigation reducing B delivery to meristems.

Correction

  • Apply low-rate boron via boric acid or sodium borate (e.g., Solubor) as a drench or foliar spray; distribute uniformly.
  • Target 0.3–0.5 ppm B in fertigation for maintenance, adjusting by tissue analysis.
  • Restore even irrigation to prevent under-delivery to growing tips.
  • Adjust pH to 5.5–6.0 to optimize availability in soilless mixes.

Prevention

  • Maintain 0.3–0.5 ppm B in fertigation for maintenance and check tissue levels routinely.
  • Keep substrate pH 5.5–6.0 and avoid over-liming.
  • Provide uniform moisture and avoid drought stress in containers.
  • Use complete micronutrient blends containing B at planting for slow, even release.

B deficiency in Ribes

Scientific Name
Boron (B)
Atomic Number
5
Atomic Weight u
10.811
Elemental Group
Micro elements (B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Zn) | Micronutrients
Available Forms

Available forms of Boron (B) for use in Container Nursery Stock

  • Boric acid (H₃BO₃, “Boric acid”) – soluble; common foliar/drench source.
  • Sodium tetraborate decahydrate (Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O, “Borax”) – soluble; substrate or stock-solution source.
  • Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (Na₂B₈O₁₃·4H₂O, “Disodium octaborate”) – highly soluble; liquid concentrates (e.g., Solubor-type).
  • Boron ethanolamine (“Boron ethanolamine”) – liquid organic complex for fertigation/foliar use.
  • Sodium borate solutions (“Sodium borate solution”) – soluble borate complexes for stock solutions.
  • Boron frits (varied composition, “Slow-release B frits”) – controlled-release in container mixes.

Boron (B) Deficiency in Ribes – Container Nursery Stock

Symptoms

  • Death or distortion of growing points; new leaves thick, brittle or malformed.
  • Short, bushy plants with cracked or corky stems and petioles.
  • Flower and bud abortion; poor pollen viability.
  • Interveinal chlorosis may follow on young leaves in severe cases.

Causes

  • Low B in fertilizer/water or excessive leaching in soilless mixes.
  • Over-liming and high pH reducing B availability in containers.
  • Antagonism with high Ca or K and low root-zone moisture limiting B transport.
  • Drought or erratic irrigation reducing B delivery to meristems.

Correction

  • Apply low-rate boron via boric acid or sodium borate (e.g., Solubor) as a drench or foliar spray; distribute uniformly.
  • Target 0.3–0.5 ppm B in fertigation for maintenance, adjusting by tissue analysis.
  • Restore even irrigation to prevent under-delivery to growing tips.
  • Adjust pH to 5.5–6.0 to optimize availability in soilless mixes.

Prevention

  • Maintain 0.3–0.5 ppm B in fertigation for maintenance and check tissue levels routinely.
  • Keep substrate pH 5.5–6.0 and avoid over-liming.
  • Provide uniform moisture and avoid drought stress in containers.
  • Use complete micronutrient blends containing B at planting for slow, even release.