Effects of Foliar Boron Application on Physiological and Antioxidants Responses in Highbush Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium corymbosum</i> L.) Cultivars
Effects of Foliar Boron Application on Physiological and Antioxidants Responses in Highbush Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium corymbosum</i> L.) Cultivars
Authors
Reyes Diaz, Marjorie
Carcamo Fincheira, Paz
Tighe Neira, Ricardo
Nunes Nesi, Adriano
Savoure, Arnould
Inostroza Blancheteau, Claudio
Carcamo Fincheira, Paz
Tighe Neira, Ricardo
Nunes Nesi, Adriano
Savoure, Arnould
Inostroza Blancheteau, Claudio
Profesor GuĆa
Authors
Date
Datos de publicaciĆ³n:
10.3390/plants13111553
PLANTS-BASEL,Vol.13,2024
PLANTS-BASEL,Vol.13,2024
Tipo de recurso
Article
Keywords
Materia geogrƔfica
Collections
Abstract
Boron (B) is a micronutrient crucial for the growth, development, productivity, and quality of crops. However, in areas characterized by acid soil (pH(water) < 5.0) and high rainfall, soil B concentration tends to decrease, leading to insufficient supply to crops. This study was aimed at determining the optimal rate of B fertilization to enhance Vaccinium corymbosum L. performance in acid conditions. One-year-old cultivars with contrasting Al resistance (Al-sensitive Star and Al-resistant Cargo) were used. Plants were conditioned in plastic pots containing 18 L of half-ionic-strength Hoagland solution (pH 4.5) for 2 weeks. Thereafter, the following B treatments were applied foliarly: control, without B application (distilled water), 200, 400, and 800 mg L-1 of B as Solubor (R) for up to 72 h. Photosynthetic performance, root and shoot B levels, antioxidants, and oxidative stress were evaluated. Root and shoot B concentrations increased with the increasing B application, being higher in leaves than in roots of both cultivars. Net photosynthesis decreased at 800 mg L-1 B supply and effective quantum yield of PSII at 72 h in all B treatments. Lipid peroxidation increased in both cultivars at 800 mg L-1 B treatment. Antioxidant activity increased in all B treatments in both cultivars; while, at 400 and 800 mg L-1 B, total phenols increased in leaves of cultivar Star and decreased in cultivar Cargo. In conclusion, optimal B foliar application for highbush blueberry appears to be around 400 mg L-1 B. The appropriate B foliar application could help mitigate potential stress-induced problems in highbush blueberry cultivation. However, the optimal foliar B application should be confirmed in field experiments to help the farmers manage B nutrition.