Abstract

Capia Blanco corn is considered an ancestral variety, and it is currently cultivated in the northern part of Chile. This native corn is characterized by growing in soils with a high concentration of boron and alkaline pH. The main objective of the research is to determine the effect of five concentrations of boron (B) and two levels of pH on the growth of Capia Blanco and the accumulation of B in plant tissues. The following treatments were carried out with B, which was added to a complete Hoagland solution: 5, 10, 20, and 30 mg L-1 and the control (0.27 mg L-1). Each of the B treatments was brought to two pH levels: 5.8 and 7.8. The treatments were carried out on seven-day seedlings growing on a perlite substrate and were applied for a period of 19 days. Growth variables (height and internode distance), a final concentration of B in the roots, and the aerial part (leaves and stem) were measured. The results show that, with all the concentrations of B, at pH 5.8, there is significant absorption of B versus pH 7.8 (p <0.05). The higher the concentration of B (30 mg L-1), the higher the absorption of the corn (p <0.05). Growth was not significantly affected, and at the end of the experiment, the plants did not show symptoms of toxicity. In conclusion, the concentration of 30 mg L-1 at pH 7.8 reduces growth, the acidic pH (5.8) allows greater assimilation of B, and it accumulates mainly in the root. Capia Blanco shows high tolerance to excess B, and a borophyte behavior is proposed for this variety.