David Doll4 CommentsDecember 5, 2021Nutrient

Managing low hull boron: late season corrective measures before next year’s bloom.

Recently, boron hull analysis was provided by an almond farmer. The analysis consisted of two samples from his ~300 acre (~125 ha) third-year farm. The results were 62 and 84 ppm from the cultivars Nonpareil and Monterey, respectively. Both values were under our targeted hull analysis of 95-105 ppm, with the Nonpareil sample also being deficient (<80 ppm). This orchard has followed a boron program since the beginning of its development. Initial soil samples had indicated very low boron (<0.2 ppm, undetectable), high soil pH (7.7-8.2), and a clay loam texture across the operation. Prior to planting, soil sulfur was applied to lower the pH, as well as diammonium phosphate and potassium sulfate. After establishment, boron in the form of disodium octoborate tetrahydrate (20.5% boron, tradename: Solubor®) was applied at 5 lbs/acre (~5.5 kg/ha) twice a year (spring and fall) through the drip system. A foliar application of sodium tetraborate was also made at 1.8 lbs/acre (2 kg/ha) in the fall after the second year of growth and pink bud. As a result, soil boron levels have improved slightly, with some detectable boron within the wetting pattern. Boron deficiency can greatly impact almond yields. Boron improves pollen tube germination and growth, helping to increase the number of flowers fertilized during pollination. Being deficient in boron can lead to very low nut set and yield, and a willowy- look to the trees. More on this can be found in previous articles (here and here are a few). Given that the most recent hull samples indicate deficiency or borderline deficiency in boron, a new plan has been developed. This plan will utilize additional foliar sprays and soil boron applications and will be applied through dormancy and into the next year. The grower has already applied 5 lbs/acre (5.5 kg/ha) and 2 lbs/acre

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David Doll2 CommentsSeptember 6, 2016Nutrient

Postharvest is a Good Time for Boron Foliar Sprays

Boron is a critical micronutrient for fruit set.  Work has shown that yield can be reduced when boron hull concentrations fall below 80 ppm. In order to determine deficiency, a hull analysis should be taken to determine tree boron status. Leaf tissue levels are not consistent in providing boron status. Applications of boron should occur to the ground if hull levels are below 80-100 ppm. Boron foliar applications, however, should be considered for nearly all orchards except ones approaching toxicity (hull boron greater than 200 ppm). Boron foliar applications have been shown in several studies to increase yields in orchards deemed boron sufficient. A study from 1999 compared the application of foliar boron at two locations – one in Fresno County and the other in Glenn County – for two years. The Fresno County location applied the foliar sprays either in September, December, or February at three rates (0 lbs/acre, 0.71 lbs/acre, and 1.5 lbs/acre of boron) using Solubor® (a 20.5% boron product). The Glenn County site applied the foliar spray either in August, September, or February at four rates (0 lbs/acre, 0.71 lbs/acre, 1.11 lbs/acre, 1.50 lbs/acre, and 1.91 lbs/acre of boron) using Borosol® (a 10% boron product). At the Fresno Location, the September application was the most effective in increasing tree boron levels, fruit set and yield. All rates out-performed the control. At the Glenn County location, the increasing rates increased tree boron tissue levels almost linearly for the August and February timings. February application timings at both sites increased initial fruit set, but the greatest increase in tissue concentration, nut set, and yield response came from the September timing. The increases observed are most likely is due to the increased efficiency in nutrient uptake from the active leaves. If a September application cannot be made, a February/early pink bud spray should be considered. Ground applied boron should

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David Doll2 CommentsJanuary 15, 2013Diseases

Chlorothalonil and Oil: Dormant Application Q&A

I have been receiving quite a few questions about the application of chlorothalonil and oil. This dormant spray has been shown to be highly effective in reducing in season scab, as well as delaying the sporulation of the pathogen, making in-season fungicide sprays more effective. Q. The work by Dr. Adaskaveg shows 6 pts, the product is only registered for four (winter, 2013)…is the 4pt rate effective?

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David Doll3 CommentsOctober 17, 2012Nutrient

High Boron Hull and Leaf Values…

There have been a few questions regarding high boron levels in hull and leaf tissue sampled from this past year. The general consensus is that it is “just one of those odd things that occur every year.” Never-the-less, that prompted me to give Dr. Patrick Brown (UC Davis) a ring and inquirer about environmental influences on boron.

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Franz Niederholzer8 CommentsSeptember 19, 2012Nutrient

Fall Foliar Fertilizers: Targeted v/s General Approach

A PCA asking me the other day what I thought of a general micronutrient (iron + molybdenum + zinc + copper + manganese + boron +?) compared to a standard zinc + boron spray program that is common in postharvest almonds in the areas where I work. This question got me thinking about a review of fall fertilizer programs in general, with a focus on foliar nutrients. There are more than a dozen mineral nutrients essential for plant growth. However, only a handful of those nutrients have been shown to be important – in general — to profitable almond production. These

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David Doll14 CommentsOctober 21, 2011Nutrient

Post Harvest Foliar Sprays

After harvest is a good time to apply a few different foliar nutrients to the trees before the leaves fall. Nutrient uptake occurs through wood and leaf tissues. Applying when leaves are still green and active increases the sprayed surface area, thus increasing the efficiency of the spray and uptake of the nutrients. Applications can be made when leaves are off the tree, but the reduced surface area leads to a reduced nutrient uptake.  Below are considerations to make in regards to a few commonly applied foliar nutrients. Boron. Studies have shown that a foliar spray of boron can increase crop set regardless of boron hull content. If the tree is deficient in boron, the resulting “yield bump” is greater than in sufficient trees, but the “yield bump” is still observed in sufficient orchards.  Two pounds of Solubor (20% Boron) applied with 100 gallons of water/acre is commonly used. This article detailing boron foliar sprays highlights the specifics. Urea/Nitrogen. Fall foliar applications of lo-biuret urea are thought to reduce the incidence of bacterial canker and bud drop within almond. It is thought that this reduction is due to an increase of tissue nitrogen content which may increase overall tissue health making it more resistant to bacterial infection. Fall Urea applied for bacterial canker prevention should be applied later in the season (i.e. first week of November) and at a rate of 100 lbs/acre. Studies have also shown that fall applied lo-biuret urea can increase yield. Although studies have not shown the yield increase to be significant, it has been observed in two trials. Both yield increases were observed with the lower end of urea use, between 10-25 lbs/acre. Higher applications of urea did not produce as much of an effect and in some cases led to foliage burn and leaf

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Roger Duncan2 CommentsAugust 2, 2010Nutrient

Hull Samples for Boron Analysis

What is the most common nutrient deficiency in Northern San Joaquin Valley almonds? If you said nitrogen or zinc you are wrong. While zinc and nitrogen are commonly applied to area orchards, boron is often neglected and therefore boron deficiency is far more common. If you haven’t applied boron TO THE GROUND recently and your orchard is east of the San Joaquin River, you are almost certainly deficient. Boron is essential for pollen tube growth. There are no obvious foliar symptoms of moderate boron deficiency, but less than optimum boron can reduce nut set. Analysis of mature almond hulls is a much better indicator of boron status than a leaf analysis. Wait until harvest to collect hulls because they will continue to accumulate boron while splitting. Trees with hull boron levels of less than 120 ppm may benefit from a postharvest boron spray (1-2 lb of a 21% B product in 100 gallons of water per acre). This will help with pollen germ tube growth in the flowers next spring but will not improve overall boron status of the tree. Hull boron of less than 80 ppm indicates the need for a ground application. Fertilize with the equivalent of 10 – 20 pounds of a 21% boron product per acre. Boron can be injected through micro-irrigation systems, broadcast or sprayed on the ground, or included in a herbicide spray. Herbicide sprays containing glyphosate may need to be buffered to prevent reduction of herbicidal activity. Hull levels over 200 ppm indicate excessive boron.

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Roger Duncan5 CommentsOctober 6, 2009Nutrient

Post-harvest Boron Applications Can Increase Almond Yields

Written by Roger Duncan, UC Farm Advisor, Stanislaus Boron deficiency is very common in orchards and vineyards planted on the eastern side of our county. This nutrient is essential in pollen tube growth and fertilization of the flowers. Moderate boron deficiency does not produce recognizable foliar symptoms but trees do not set their full potential of fruit. Boron tends to accumulate in almond hulls and thus hull samples provide a better indication of boron status than do leaf samples. Harvest is an easy time to sample hulls. If samples are collected much earlier than harvest, a false reading may be obtained because boron may continue to accumulate in the hulls as long as they remain green on the tree. The current boron guidelines for hulls are as follows: 80 ppm or lower = deficient 80-150 ppm = adequate Over 200 ppm = may be toxic Soil applications are the best way to correct a deficiency. Be very careful when applying boron—a little boron fertilizer goes a long way and will last for a few years. Soil applied boron fertilizers should be broadcast, not banded. Research has shown that even orchards with up to 120 ppm benefit from a post-harvest foliar application of boron. In University of California trials in Stanislaus and other counties, postharvest boron sprays often increased nut set and yield 20-30% the following year compared to non-treated trees. Timing: The goal of the foliar application is to get the boron into the flower buds (actually pollen tube mother cells) that are developing for the next year. Therefore, timing of application is very important. During the growing season (March through July), large quantities of boron go into the developing hulls. If foliar boron is applied at this time, most of the boron will go into the hulls and is

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