Distribution of Boron in Soils of western Rajasthan irrigated with high Boron Waters

Soil profiles from western Rajasthan were examined for the effect of high boron content of irrigation waters on boron status of soils. In irrigated soil profiles total and available boron contents were much more than in the unirrigated soil. The sub-soil horizon of the former contained more available boron than the surface layer and no such trend was observed in unirrigated soils. Factors such as pH, CaCO₃ and finer soil fractions (silt+clay) which normally affect the boron availability were studied. Available boron was significantly correlated in irrigated soils with pH and negatively so with finer soil fractions in both irrigated and unirrigated tracts. Total boron was significantly correlated with calcium carbonate content only in unirrigated tracts but strongly and positively so with finer fractions in both types of soils. No relationship was observed between available and total boron contents.