Response of maize to boron in the Southwestern coast of Guatemala

Boron has been identified as limiting maize production in the Southwestern coastal soils of Guatemala. Results from ongoing research at the University of Georgia indicate that amorphous minerals of volcanic origin are the cause.

In the extremely dry growing season of 2015, a multi-location evaluation of maize response to applied B was carried out in partnership with Semilla Nueva, a NGO working to promote sustainable intensification in the region. Four B rates (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kg/ha) were applied as sodium tetraborate at planting of maize ‘Dekalb 357’ at seven locations. Soils had clayey textures in the plow layer and the soil test concentration for B (azomethine H) was 0.35 to 0.53 ppm.

Maize grain yields (14%) averaged 3,860, 4,000, 3,730, and 4,480 kg/ha for 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kg B/ha, respectively. A significant increase in grain yield was detected only for the highest rate of 1.5 kg/ha B application.