Effect of Foliar Application of Boron on Yield and Yield Components of Linseed Cultivars (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Boron is a crucial micronutrient for the growth and development of plants. Foliar application of boron positively impacts the growth, yield, and yield components of oilseed crops. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of boron (B) on some yield and quality traits of linseed cultivars. The field experiments of this study were carried out in spring season of 2022 and 2023 under ecological conditions of Tekirdag. The experiment was carried out as a split plot design based on RCBD with three replications, in which cultivars constituted the main plot with three varieties (Karakız, Sarıdane and Beyaz Gelin), and boron constituted the sub-plot with four doses (0, 100, 200 and 300 mg L-1) in both years. Boron doses were applied by foliar spraying at 45 DAS. In the study plant height, branch number, number of capsules per plants, number of seeds per capsule, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, oil content and oil yield were investigated. Analysis of variance showed that boron application significantly affected all the examined traits except for 1000 seed weight and oil content. The results showed that the highest seed yield was obtained from 200 and 300 mg L-1 boron application (91.45 and 93.85 kg da-1, respectively). However, the differences in oil content were not statistically significant in terms of cultivar and boron application. In conclusion, foliar application of appropriate doses of boron contributes to increase the yield of linseed, especially in medium and low input farming systems.