Page 33 - 22 Cotton SA magazine

/ RESEARCH, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

mixed results, it showed a potential to increase shedding of squares. The trials were done
nutrient uptake of microelements. This empha- under optimum conditions and to determine the
sised the importance of taking soil samples possible effect of boron alone, stress conditions
before planting and planning crop fertilisations may have to be introduced. A further trial will
accordingly. be conducted in more detail at the Loskop
Plant deficiencies in micro-elements do not Experimental Farm during the coming season to
often occur as most farmers maintain good monitor the effect of boron on the shedding of
soil management practices that preserve squares.
micronutrients in the soil. Cotton can access and
extract large amounts of nutrients from the soil
through its tap root system, depending on what
is available in the soil.
Understanding the importance of micro- References
elements in the soil can result in better fibre 1. Hake, S.J., Kerby, T.A. & Hake, T.D. 1996.
quality and acceptable yields in marginally Cotton Production Manual, Publication 3352,
growing areas. The results did not confirm University of California, Division of Agriculture
significant differences, but showed the im- and Natural Resources.
por tance of potassium and calcium additions 2. Chaudhry, M.R. & Guitchounts, A. 2003.
to obtain optimum yields. In seasons where Agronomy and Physiology, Chapter 3.
conditions are unfavourable, yields might be In: Cotton Facts, Technical Paper 25 of the
enhanced by the addition of boron to avoid Common Fund for Commodities.

Figure 3: Fibre strength of the calcium/boron (CaB) treatments.

Micronutrients
can form toxic
chemical structures
if applied in too
Figure 4: Fibre strength of the potassium/boron (KB) treatments. high dosages.”

Volume 22 No 3 September 2020 | 33