Effect of Liming on Retention and Availability of Boron in Entisol and Alfisol

The effect of boron (B) application on the available B content and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L) was studied in an Entisol and an Alfisol of West Bengal. Application of B increased the available B content (hot water soluble B) in the soils but the applied B was not completely recovered by hot water extraction. This was more so in the limed soils. Liming increased the B adsorption capacity of the soils, the adsorption being more in Entisol than in Alfisol. The ratio of concentration of calcium (Ca) and B in the straw at maturity varied between 135 and 170 and the ratio was higher in the limed soil. Application of 2.0 kg B ha⁻¹ recorded the highest dry matter yield of wheat beyond which there was an adverse effect.