The dynamics of boron when amending agricultural soil of the Mediterranean basin with biosolids: trials in leaching columns

Abstract

There is mainly a lack of boron (B) in soils with low amounts of organic matter and in acidic and sandy soils. This is especially true in irrigated land or humid regions, where leaching can occur. The results from studying the amount of available B will reveal the status of B in the soil of a specific plot of land. The experimentation was per-formed as a controlled study using leaching columns. A container was placed at the end of the columns to collect the infiltrated water. Three treatments were performed by applying different amounts of biosol-ids (T40: 40,000 kg ha−1, T80: 80,000 kg ha−1, T120: 120,000 kg ha−1), as well as a blank test or control treatment (T0). We conclude that the mobility of B in soil was generally low despite the addition of organic matter and humidity to the soil. This is an indication that there is no clear risk of aquifers being contaminated with B or plants being impacted by tox-icity due to this micronutrient.