Boron Supplementation in Runner Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.).

Boron deficiency in peanuts can result in internal seed damage known as “hollow heart”. Adequate boron is required during peanut growth to ensure optimal quality, yield, and value. Recommended application rates have not been re-evaluated for newer and larger seeded peanut cultivars. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of boron application rates and timing on peanut grade, yield, and seed quality in currently produced runner peanuts. Field trials were conducted in 2015, 2016, and 2017 under irrigation at locations in Headland, AL, and Tifton, GA, using common boron fertilizers and Georgia-06G peanuts. Boron was evaluated in single and split applications at rates of 0.28, 0.56, and 1.12 kg B ha^-1 using Borosol-10 (Loveland Products, Loveland, CO) applied at early and mid-bloom. Solubor (U.S. Borax, Denver, CO) was evaluated at rates of 1.12 and 2.24 kg B ha^-1 applied at early bloom. Boron Xtra (Custom Ag Formulators, Inc., Fresno, CA) was applied at a rate of 0.025 kg B ha^-1 at early bloom. Results indicate that Solubor applied at the higher rate was the most effective treatment for increasing boron in the leaf tissue. Single and split applications at equal overall rates did not differ in boron levels in leaf tissue; however, split application treatments resulted in slightly higher boron levels in the seed compared to the single application treatments. No difference in yield was observed among the treatments.