Deficiency symptoms: Normal growth and development of cereals like rice, wheat maize and pulses like lentil, mug as well as oilseeds such as sesame, linseed, mustard, soybean and different kinds of vegetables are hampered and leaves of the crops become deshaped and deformed; middle portion of the bean rots and becomes blackish in colour. The mid portion of apple and upper portion of tobacco leaf also rot and a brownish colour is seen in cauliflower.

Boron fertilizer: It acts in the plant where sugar is formed and resists polymerization. The following fertilizers are mentioned in the government approved list. The quantity of boron in Solubor Boron is 20% and that in boric acid is 17%. Borax is used to meet up the demand of boron, it contains 10.6 per cent of the latter, it is white in colour and not fully soluble in water. In developed countries 100 per cent soluble boron is used in the agricultural land. But it is a matter of regret that in our country boron decahydrate and boric acid supposed to be used in the industry are being used in the agricultural land. It happens because of ignorance of farmers and weak supervision of institutes concerned. Calcium borate is also used to meet up the demand of boron. This fertilizer is also known as carbamite. And this is also not soluble in water fully as a result plants cannot take it properly.

Disadvantages: As borax does not mix in water perfectly its effectiveness is less and also boron content is only 10.6 per cent. It does not work promptly so it takes time to work and mixes with other materials and turns into a complex compound and then becomes available to the plant gradually. As general farmers are not well aware about its quality and effectiveness some tradesmen are importing this kind of industrial grade boron fertilizer and marketing it and as a result poor farmers are losing money.

Utilisation in developed countries: To fulfil the scarcity of boron in developed countries Ciba Specialty Chemicals has developed Librel Boron which is very useful and directly available to the plant. It is 100 per cent soluble in water and has 20.5 per cent boron content. This fertilizer can be used directly to the soil as well as sprayed on plants. It does not mix with other materials and plant can take the nutrient properly and promptly.

Advantages of Librel Boron: As said it does not form complex compound mixing with other materials. It acts quickly. It is non-hazardous and can be stored and transported round the year at any temperature. It has no residual effect, supplies ready food to the plant being pure and is 100 per cent soluble in water.

Application: It can be used in the soil and on leaf in measures -- leaf 90gm/bigha (15gm in 10 Ltr. water) and soil 180gm/bigha (broad casting).

Conclusion: It is not harmful to the soil or environment. So this most effective and popular librel boron is being used throughout the world for increasing crop production. Agriculturists, researchers, Agriculture Extension Department, concerned businessmen and NOGs should come forward to use and popularise this fertilizer for our food security. The farmers will be benefited by getting more yield using this fertilizer and they will be economically well off. Moreover the country will go one step forward for self-sufficiency in food.

Kbd Md Shahidul Islam is Ex. Officer, BARC.