TY - JOUR AU - Wurentuya, AU - Chen, Lingling PY - 2020/06/12 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - The Effect of Foliar Boron Application on Seed Production of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) JF - Biosis: Biological Systems JA - Biosis:Biol. Syst. VL - 1 IS - 2 SE - Original research DO - 10.37819/biosis.001.02.0056 UR - https://eaapublishing.org/journals/index.php/biosis/article/view/56 SP - 60-64 AB - <p>Boron (B) is an essential micronutrient for plant reproductive growth and seed setting. A better understanding of the reasonable application rate of B could provide guidelines for improving seed yield and quality. In this study, we used five B concentrations (0, 400, 800, 1200, and 1600 mg B L<sup>-1</sup>) to study the effect of foliar application of B on seed yield and quality of alfalfa (<em>Medicago sativa</em> L.) in northern China. Our results indicated that foliar B application increased the pollen number, pollen viability, and dry weight and B concentration of alfalfa reproductive organs. The effect of B on alfalfa seed yield can be attributed to affecting the number of inflorescence and the seeds per pod. Foliar application with 800 mg B L<sup>-1</sup> made quantitative and qualitative improvements in seed yield and quality of alfalfa. These results help to explain the positive effects of B on alfalfa seed production.</p> ER -