TURKISH JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY, cilt.39, sa.5, ss.742-752, 2015 (SCI-Expanded)
Boron (B) deficiency is widespread in the northeastern Anatolian region of Turkey. This could impact the production and quality of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Karaerik). A field experiment was conducted for determining the optimum economic B rate (OEBR), critical soil test, and tissue B values for yield and quality response of grapevine to B fertilizer application method (foliar and soil) at 5 doses (0, 1, 3, 9, and 12 kg B/ha) for 2 years. OEBR of foliar and soil application ranged from 6.4 to 8.5 kg B/ha with an average yield of 20.2-12.8 t/ha, respectively. The average soil B content at the OEBR was 0.32-2.52 mg/kg. Leaf tissue B content amounted to 98.9 and 64.4 mg/kg, and berry B content amounted to 21.4 and 12.9 mg/kg for foliar and soil application methods, respectively. Independently of application method, B application increased tissue N, Ca, Mg, P, K, and Zn, yet decreased Fe, Mn, and Cu content. We concluded that a B addition of 6.4 kg/ha for foliar application and 8.5 kg/ha for soil application is sufficient to elevate soil B to nondeficient levels.