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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #414849
Research Project: Improving Soil and Water Productivity and Quality in Irrigated Cropping Systems

Location: Water Management Research

Title: Boron in pistachio: Role and recent research results

Author
item Banuelos, Gary
item BEEDE, ROBERT - Farmer
item COEHLO, JOSEPH - Valley Orchard Management, Llc
item SALUDES, MARTA - University Of Salamanca
item FERGUSON, LOUISE - University Of California, Davis
item CULUMBER, MAE - University Of California, Davis
item MARINO, GIULIA - University Of California, Davis
item SANDEN, BLAKE - University Of California, Davis
item MEHATA, MUKESH - University Of California, Davis

Submitted to: West Coast Nut
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2024
Publication Date: 4/30/2024
Citation: Banuelos, G.S., Beede, R.H., Coehlo, J., Saludes, M.I., Ferguson, L., Culumber, M., Marino, G., Sanden, B., Mehata, M. 2024. Boron in pistachio: Role and recent research results. West Coast Nut. 4:10-15.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Boron (B) toxicity is an important disorder that can limit plant growth on soils of arid and semi-arid environments throughout the world. High concentrations of B may occur naturally in the soil or in groundwater like in the westside of the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) in California. Soil of the westside of the SJV are derived from the sediment of the Coastal Ranges, which have marine origins and are rich in B. In such regions, the irrigation water is the most important contributor to high level of soil B. Boron is essential for plant nutrition. It is not only essential as a structural component of cell walls but also indirectly supports the delivery of sugars for the cell wall extension growth. B uptake in excess can, however, be toxic to many typical agronomic crops. In the westside of the SJV. many B sensitive and some B tolerant crops are grown, including B tolerant pistachios with over 400,000 acres planted in California. Pistachios need additional B for proper flower development and for healthy nut production, however, excessive B uptake results in visible B toxicity symptoms of necrosis on leaf edges, and results in decreased leaf area and decreased photosynthetic activity. However, it is statistically not clear if visible B toxicity symptoms in leaves results in decreased nut yield. This uncertainty suggests that nut yield may not be significantly reduced, despite exhibiting typical leaf B toxicity symptoms. This brief overview highlights the role of B in B deficient or toxic conditions for pistachio production in Central California.