A NOVEL METHODOLOGY FOR FERTILISATION STRATEGIES: EXAMPLE OF BORON UPTAKE AND ACCUMULATION IN <em>CAMELLIA</em> <em>OLEIFERA</em>

Abstract

Boron deficiency is widespread in Camellia oleifera, which is an economically important plant in China. However, little information is available on the uptake, translocation and accumulation of boron in C. oleifera. The translocation of boron in C. oleifera was investigated for the first time in this study. In order to study the dynamic changes in mineral nutrition within plants in-situ, we established biomass models of various C. oleifera components and performed a 13-month follow-up study on C. oleifera boron concentrations. The uptake of boron peaked from June till October, and boron mainly accumulated in the fruits and leaves. Boron translocation only occurred from other plant parts towards the fruits. A small amount of translocation occurred during fruit set in March and a larger rate occurred during fruit maturation period. Roots were the first structure to respond to boron uptake and translocation in C. oleifera. The results suggested that boron applications to C. oleifera plantation should be at least 258 mg tree^-1 year^-1 (637 g ha^-1 year^-1), and they should be applied from early June till October. The method used here, which combines biomass models and nutrient concentrations, represents a nondestructive methodology that has potential for use in further in-situ studies of dynamic nutrient changes of whole plants as well as for research conducted over longer time periods.