Boron Adsorption and Desorption Study, Correlation between Soil Properties, Available Boron and the Adsorption Isotherm Parameters

Boron is one of the essential micronutrients to almost all the crops.Interest in boron research has been increasing due to its wide role and increasing deficiencies in many parts of the world.Boron adsorption and desorption study helps to have a detailed knowledge on boron availability, its adsorption and retention.Hence, the adsorption study was carried out using five major soil series which covers the major areas of Tamirabharani tract of TamilNadu, India.Varying concentrations of boron were added to the soils and their ability to adsorb as well the desorption with time has been studied.The study on the correlations between available boron and other soil properties were analyzed, which showed a high positive correlation with pH(r 2 =0.87),EC (r 2 =0.84),Clay(r 2 =0.78),OC (r 2 =0.74) and a negative correlation with silt(r 2 =0.69) and sand (r 2 =0.78).The adsorbed Born were fitted into Frendulich and Langmuir adsorption isotherm equations, which revealed that the Frendulich isotherm was best suited to Boron adsorption than Langmuir adsorption isotherm.The correlation between isotherm parameters of Frendulich and Langmuir with the soil properties were also studied.Boron desorption study revealed that the adsorption showed inverse relationship with boron desorption.Desorption of boron is initially rapid and it is slowed down as time proceeds.