Effect of varying calcium carbonate content on Boron availability in Loamy Sand Soil of Punjab

Abstract

A laboratory experiment was conducted to estimate the effect of incubated time on release of boron (B) from loamy sand soil, containing varying levels of calcium carbonate. Different levels of calcium Carbonate (0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10% powdered) and boron (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 mg B kg-1 soil) were applied to soil in completely randomized design with three replications and soil was incubated at 25o±1oC. At weekly intervals, the soil was thoroughly mixed and subsample was removed after 0, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days incubation for analysis. The results showed availability of boron was maximum treatment having no calcium carbonate (B0C0, B1.25C0, B2.5C0, B5.0C0 and B10.0C0) content. However, the availability of boron decreased with increase in calcium carbonate content and with passing time (7, 14, 28 and 56 days). Availability of boron was least in the presence of highest calcium carbonate (B0C10, B1.25C10, B2.5C10, B5.0C10 and B10.0C10) content. From this study, it was concluded that concentration of boron was decreased with increasing calcium carbonate content and time. Calcium carbonate showed a negative effect on boron availability.