Boron dynamics in soil: classification, sources, factors, fractions, and kinetics

Degradation of soil micronutrient fertility status is an increasingly serious problem damaging the sustainability of modern agriculture. In this article, an attempt has been made to present some of the significant features of boron (B) in relation to soil nutrition including soil biochemistry and plant root uptake kinetics. Interests in B research have been sparked by the problem of deficiency and toxicity resulting from shortage and oversupply of the nutrient. Both deficiency and toxicity of B may be related to the total concentration of B in the soil, however, these problems arise from the chemical forms of B present in the soil, particularly its solubility, and availability to plants. The natural soil conditions as well as different soil-management practices have a marked influence on the fractions of B present in the soil and its availability.