Problem
Nutritional disorder – boron toxicity
Symptoms
Lower leaves with necrotic spotting, followed by the development of a marginal necrotic band. Under severe conditions, symptoms can spread over the entire leaf and also develop further up the plant. Plant growth can be stunted.
Similar Problems
Leaf necrosis symptoms also occur with sodium (Na) toxicities.
Additional Information
Typically excess boron levels are the result of over applications.
Diagnostic Tips
Submit a leaf sample for nutrient analysis. The sufficiency range for boron in strawberries is 25 to 50 ppm. Values above 50 ppm would be considered excessive.
Corrective Measures
In the short term, it is difficult to correct excess levels. Damage to the plants cannot be reversed. Overhead irrigations my help leach some of the boron out of the root zone (but irrigations need to be managed to avoid gray mold).
Avoid boron applications the following season. Ensure that your calcium levels are adequate, which may help moderate the effects of the excess boron.
Management
B can be leached, especially in sandy soils. Strawberries are a moderate feeder for B. Test soil for B level prior to planting and follow local crop production guidelines for boron application in your area. Typical recommendations, based on if the soil test values indicate less than 1 ppm B, is an application of 1 pound of actual boron per acre prior to planting. Over application of boron can lead to toxicities.
Useful Resources
Strawberry Tissue Analysis – North Carolina
Strawberry Fertiliser Guide – Australia
Strawberries (Western Oregon, west of Cascades) – Oregon
Funding Sources
Funding was provided in part by the National Sustainable Agriculture Program: Sustainable Strawberry Initiative and the following sources.
A thank you is also expressed to Kube Pak of Allentown, New Jersey for donating strawberry plants.
Publication date: April 10, 2014
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