- Worldwid distribution. All members of cabbage family (in Papua New Guinea on cabbage, cauliflower, beetroot, celery, turnip).
- Small amounts needed for plant growth. Worse in sandy soils, > pH7, low organic matter, droughts, soil high in calcium. Boron does not move from older to younger leaves.
- Cabbage stems hollow, heads small, leaf stalks brittle; foul-smelling soft rots may occur.
- Cultural control: add plenty of compost; if symptoms persist, have a soil tested by government authorities to make sure boron is the cause.
- Chemical control: either (i) borax at 10 kg/ha (1 g/m2), and repeat at 2 weeks; or (ii) e.g., Solubar 6-12 kg/ha soil application (0.6-1.2 kg/m2).
