Oil in Echium plantagineum (purple viper’s bugloss) seeds is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids including the rarely occurring γ-linolenic acid and stearidonic acid. Therefore, the oil is used in pharmacy and food industry. Boron, magnesium and sulphur play an important role in physiological processes of plants. Polish soils, however, in majority are deficient in these elements. The aim of the experiment was to compare the effects of two methods of fertilization (into soil and foliar one) with boron, magnesium and sulphur on growth and seed yields of purple viper’s bugloss. The study was carried out on silt loam soil characterized by the mean content of magnesium and sulphur and a low content of boron. Afore-named elements, irrespectively of the application method, brought about a significant increase in the height of plants, their vegetative mass, and induced better development of seeds. As a result, yields of seeds on plots with boron, magnesium and sulphur fertilization were significantly higher in comparison with the control (it should be stressed that impact of boron was the greatest). Fertilization had a positive effect on the fat content in seeds too, resulting in an increase by 0.2%-1.6% (boron was the most effective in this respect too). Results of the present study showed that application of fertilization with boron, magnesium and sulphur had a significant effect on the yield and oil content in purple viper’s bugloss seeds.

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