Determination of Boron Status of Agricultural Soils in Kırıkhan-Reyhanlı Region of Hatay Province

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the useful boron content of the agricultural soils of Kırıkhan-Reyhanlı region and their relationships with some physical and chemical properties. According to the results; pH content of the soils was 7.57-8.36; total salt content 0.020-0.083%; clay content 29.44-72.72%; sand content 1.28-35.28%; silt content 22.00-44. 72%; lime content 5.66-51.14%; organic matter content 1.42-4.10%; Na content 0.05-1.93 me/100 g, K content 0.43-2.77 me/100 g and useful boron content 0.13-2.38 mg/kg. In terms of useful boron content of Kırıkhan-Reyhanlı soils, 56.66% of them were very low (<0.5 mg/kg), 23.34% were low (0.5-0.9 mg/kg), 20.00% were sufficient (1.0-2.4) at 0-20 cm depth and 70.00% were very low, 16.66% were low and 13.34% were sufficient at 20-40 cm depth. Positive and significant relationships were determined between useful boron and organic matter and exchangeable Na content of soils. In addition, while a negative significant relationship was determined between pH and sand content, significant positive relationships were determined between pH and clay and exchangeable Na content of soils. As a result, the content of useful boron in the soils of the study area was determined at low and very low levels above 83% in all soils of the study area and it was seen that the useful boron content of the soils was insufficient and therefore boron fertilization should be done.