Boron deficiency causes growth disturbance in sprude forests

The problem can be treated by boron fertilization

Boron deficiency has been observed to interfere with growth in spruce stands on rich mineral soils especially in central and eastern Finland. The disorder is manifested as cellular damage already at the budding phase. The second-year seedlings do not develop buds at all or the development of buds stops and the shoot apex dies. This leads to split trunks and bushy tops. At its worst, the problem can reduce production of the stand by half.

When boron fertilisation was tested in the deficiency areas, the boron content was multiplied by several dozens already during the test year. However, the content fell from the peak values rather quickly, but the effect of sufficient fertilisation has been reported to last at least ten years. Depending on the age of the stand, the shoot apex of spruces started to recover within 2 to 4 years from the start of fertilisation. Growth problems due to boron deficiency have been observed in other species as well. However, boron deficiency is not the reason for all growth disturbances; some apical disturbances are due to damage caused by fungi and insects.

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