Micronutrient Interactions in Wheat: Implications of Boron and Zinc Management in Acidic Soils of Terai Region of West Bengal, India

Abstract

The soils of the Terai region of West Bengal are generally acidic in nature and deficient in available boron (B) and zinc (Zn) leading to widespread micronutrient constraints in the region. This study investigated the interaction effects of B and Zn on wheat growth, nutrient concentration and uptake in this region. A pot experiment was conducted using a factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three levels each of B (0, 2 and 2.5 mg kg⁻¹) and Zn (0, 5 and 10 mg kg⁻¹). The experimental soil was acidic (pH 5.70) and deficient in available B and Zn which corroborates the typical micronutrient constraints of the region. Results revealed that B application significantly increased shoot dry matter yield, with maximum yield at 2.5 mg kg⁻¹ B. Zinc application showed a less consistent response, though a higher dose (10 mg kg⁻¹) significantly improved yield. The combined application of B (2.5 mg kg⁻¹) and Zn (10 mg kg⁻¹) produced the highest biomass, indicating a positive interaction effect. B application significantly increased both B and Zn concentrations in plant tissues whereas Zn application reduced B concentration, indicating an antagonistic interaction at higher levels. However, Zn played a protective role by mitigating B toxicity and improving nutrient balance. Nutrient uptake data indicated substantial increases in both B and Zn uptake with combined application, particularly at higher levels. The findings demonstrate that balanced application of B and Zn enhances wheat productivity and nutrient use efficiency in acidic soils. The study highlights the importance of Zn–B stoichiometry in optimizing crop performance and suggests that appropriate micronutrient management strategies are essential for sustainable wheat production and biofortification in micronutrient-deficient regions.