Possible sources of errors in the determination of boron in plant samples were examined. This paper will first describe some general features and then the following steps in the pre‐treatment of plant samples: a. Dryingb. Grindingc. Dry ashing, effects of temperature, time and additivesd. Wet ashing, loss of boron when using different acids, boron contamination from glassware and other related aspectse. Extraction of plant samples During drying and grinding neither loss nor contamination of boron was observed. It was found that boron was slightly lost when muffling at temperatures higher than 550°C. The addition of Ca(OH)2 prevented the loss but gave rise to incomplete ashing in many cases. Nitrate salts added in order to enhance oxidation gave rise to boron loss. Wet ashing should be done preferably in a concentrated sulphuric acid or phosphoric acid medium at low temperatures. At higher temperatures the shape of the digestion flask is important ‐ long neck flasks are usually safe enough due to their condensating effects. Very high temperatures with foaming demand additional cooling condensors. Borosilicate glass can not be used. Extraction of plant samples with hydrochloric acid is a convenient alternative but no more than 75–94% of the total boron concentration in plants could be extracted.
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Bo Wikner (1986) studied this question.
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