The effects of soil boron and calcium applications on boron and calcium uptake in Durum wheat (Triticum durum L.)

Recently, boron (B+) toxicity has received a great deal of attention as it decreases yield of crops significantly. In this study, we intestigated whether the application of different levels calcium (Ca2+) could alleviate B+ toxicity in Durum wheat induced by high levels of B+ present in irrigation water. Durum wheat cv. Ege-88 was grown in soil culture with four levels of B+ (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg kg-1 soil as HBO3) and three levels of calcium (0, 100 and 200 mg kg-1 as CaOH). B+ and Ca2+ applications increased shoots concentrations of these nutrients in a linear fashion, while increased Ca2+ application reduced B+ concentrations in the shoots. According to the analysis results, increased B concentrations were decreased while Ca concentrations increased dry matter in shoot. These results suggest that liming has potential to alleviate B+ toxicity and improve crop yield in Durum wheat.