Plant guide:ðŸĨĶ Broccoli
Back to Plant Clinic
⚠ Minor
ðŸĐš
Nutrients

Boron Deficiency in Broccoli

Commonly affects: Brassica oleracea var. italica (Broccoli)

Stems develop hollow or discoloured cores, and heads can show a rough, brown, corky surface texture rather than smooth, tight florets.

Potential Causes

  1. 1Boron-poor soil, common in sandy or heavily leached growing conditions
  2. 2High soil pH reducing boron availability
  3. 3Drought conditions reducing boron uptake even when present in soil

Solution Steps

  1. 1Apply a boron supplement at the low rates recommended for vegetables, since the margin between deficiency and toxicity is narrow
  2. 2Maintain consistent soil moisture, since drought reduces boron uptake
  3. 3Have soil tested if boron deficiency is a recurring problem before repeated supplementation

Prevention Tip

Boron has a narrow safe range for vegetables — test soil before repeated applications rather than guessing, since excess boron causes its own problems.

More Nutrient Deficiencies Problems

See all →
Phosphorus Deficiency — Purple-Tinted Leaves & Stunted Growth — monstera plant care

Phosphorus Deficiency — Purple-Tinted Leaves & Stunted Growth

Zinc Deficiency — Small, Distorted New Leaves & Shortened Internodes — monstera plant care

Zinc Deficiency — Small, Distorted New Leaves & Shortened Internodes

Manganese Deficiency — Young Leaf Interveinal Chlorosis & Pale New Growth — monstera plant care

Manganese Deficiency — Young Leaf Interveinal Chlorosis & Pale New Growth

Boron Deficiency — Deformed New Growth & Hollow Petioles — monstera plant care

Boron Deficiency — Deformed New Growth & Hollow Petioles

See how growers dealt with this →
Track this problem in your grow diary