Nutrient deficiency symptoms and boron uptake mechanisms of rice

There is little agreement on the leaf and shoot boron (B) requirement of rice (Oryza saliva L.) and the optimum hydroponic solution B concentration for rice. Questions on the mechanism of B uptake active or passive are also unresolved. We grew rice in hydroponic solutions in a growth chamber for six weeks with B at 0, 0.05, 0.2, 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 μM. Transpirational flow, dry matter yields and tissue B were determined. Results indicated that B deficiency occurred when there was <7.3 mg kg^‐1 B in the flag leaves, <3.6 mg kg^‐1 B in shoots, and <0.2 μM B in the nutrient solutions. Boron additions increased dry matter and plant height. Typical B‐deficiency symptoms were a light color or chlorosis on almost all of the youngest leaves and stems, an unthriftiness, leaf tip burn, and pale bands 2–3 mm wide on leaves, particularly on the moderately B‐deficient plants. Whitish and twisted new leaf tips occurred at >0.05 μM B. A mass balance analysis that compared the total mass of B in the plant versus B provided via transpirational flow showed that at high hydroponic B supply, passive uptake and active excretion of B, or, active blockage of B may have occurred, for > 10‐fold differences existed between the B mass in plant and B mass that could be provided via transpirational flow. Thus, B uptake was against a concentration gradient and high B supply, and as other evidence indicated, at low B supply.     

Photosynthesis,chlorophyll fluorescence and soluble carbohydrates in sunflower leaves as affected by boron deficiency

The effect of various boron levels in the nutrient solution on the growth, boron and chlorophyll content, photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in the leaves of young sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants was studied under greenhouse conditions. Deficiency of boron decreased the dry matter yield of the roots, shoots and leaves. The content of boron in all analyzed plant parts increased with the increase of boron levels in the nutrient solution, more so in the shoots than in the roots. Leaf area was reduced under boron deficiency as well as the content of chlorophyll in the leaves. The content of analyzed sugars was increased in boron deficient plants, glucose content exhibited the highest increase under boron deficiency. Boron deficiency appreciably decreased photosynthetic oxygen evolution by leaves, the apparent quantum yield and quantum efficiency of photosystem two electron transport. The diminished rate of photosynthesis in boron deficient sunflower leaves could be correlated to the diminished efficiency of electron transport and to the increased content of sugars in the leaves.     

Cotton Growth and Physiological Responses to Boron Deficiency

Abstract

Boron (B) deficiency is common in some cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) growing regions of the world. A better understanding of changes in the growth and physiological characteristics of cotton plants during the development of B deficiency will help us to define field diagnosis techniques and improve B fertilizer management recommendation. An experiment was conducted in a controlled‐environment growth chamber to determine effects of B deficiency during early vegetative growth on leaf photosynthesis, plant dry matter accumulation, photosynthetic assimilate partitioning, and other physiological parameters. Boron deficiency considerably decreased leaf net photosynthetic rate, plant height, leaf area, fruiting sites, and dry matter accumulation during squaring and fruiting. Depressed photosynthesis and plant growth (especially fruits and roots) resulted in increased fruit abscission and changes in dry matter partitioning among plant tissues. The results help explain effects of B deficiency on suppression of cotton growth and yield and provide information for improving the diagnosis of B deficiency in cotton production.     

Boron Deficiency Inhibits Petiole and Peduncle Cell Development and Reduces Growth of Cotton

ABSTRACT

The effect of boron (B) on cotton growth and fruit shedding may be due not only to physiological or biochemical effects, but also to vascular tissue malformation. This experiment investigated petiole and floral peduncle anatomical alterations and growth of cotton supplied with deficient and sufficient B in nutrient solution. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum cv. ‘Delta Opal’) plants were grown in solutions containing 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 μmol L^?1 of B from 22 to 36 d after plant emergence (DAPE). From 36 to 51 DAPE, B was omitted from the nutrient solution. Petioles from young leaves and floral bud peduncles (first position of the first sympodial) were sampled and the cross-section anatomy observed under an optical microscope. The number of vascular bundles of the petiole was decreased in B-deficient plants and the xylem was disorganized. Phloem elements in the peduncle vascular cylinder of B-deficient plants did not show clear differentiation. The few xylem elements that were formed were also disorganized. Modifications caused by B deficiency may have impaired B and photosynthate translocation into new cotton growth. Boron accumulation in the shoot of B-deficient plants suggested that there was some B translocation within the plant. It could be inferred that cotton growth would be impaired by the decrease in carbohydrate translocation rather than by B deficiency in the tissue alone.     

Absorption and Mobility of Boron in Young Citrus Plants

Boron (B) deficiency is widespread in Brazilian citrus orchards and has been considered an important soil constraint to citrus yield. The aim of this work was to study B uptake and its mobility in young citrus trees, under different B statuses, in two rootstocks. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, with ‘Valencia’ sweet orange trees budded on Rangpur lime or Swingle citrumelo. The plants were grown in pots containing nutrient solutions under either adequate or deficient B supply. Plants with different B levels were transplanted into solution with adequate level of B, enriched in ¹⁰B in different stages of development (vegetative growth and fruiting). About 20 to 35% of B content in the new parts of orange tree came from plant reserves. Boron mobility within the plant was influenced by its nutritional status; that is, the longer the period was that the plants were grown under deficient supply, the smaller was the mobility. Boron concentration in the sweet orange trees on Swingle was higher than that on Rangpur, suggesting higher demand of swingle Citrumelo for B.     

Boron deficiency symptoms and dry matter production of sesame under greenhouse conditions

Abstract

Boron (B) deficiency symptoms, dry matter production, and B critical values in sesame (Sesamun indicum L.) were investigated in a greenhouse experiment. Boron deficiency showed a yellowing of plant tops and of the youngest leaves. Upper leaves became dark green, coriaceous, with edges curved down. Boron‐deficiency symptoms was related to 21 μg B/g in the 30‐day‐old youngest fully expanded leaf. Dry matter production of leaves, stems, pods, and roots were severely decreased when B in the leaf tissue was below 21 μg/g; however seed dry weight and seed oil content were associated to less than 39 μg/g of B in the leaf tissue.     

缺硼对脐橙幼苗硼分配及叶片细胞壁组分硼含量的影响

【目的】 硼在维持细胞壁正常结构方面具有重要的作用,前期结果证实缺硼严重的脐橙叶片细胞壁结构改变程度也更大,但这种变化与细胞壁组分中硼的含量变化是否有关尚不清楚。本研究通过分析缺硼对脐橙幼苗各部分硼分配及叶片细胞壁组分硼含量的影响,明确缺硼症状表现及细胞壁结构变化程度与细胞壁各组分中硼含量变化之间的关系。 【方法】 以纽荷尔脐橙幼苗为试材,利用营养液培养方法进行缺硼处理,测定根、砧木茎、接穗茎、上部叶、下部叶、叶片细胞壁以及细胞壁各组分硼含量的变化情况。 【结果】 缺硼处理9周后上部叶出现叶片卷曲及叶片失绿等症状,而下部叶没有出现任何可见的症状。缺硼处理的脐橙幼苗各部位硼含量和硼吸收量均显著降低,缺硼降低了硼向地上部的相对分配比例且上部叶受到的影响程度更大。在硼正常供应条件下,上部叶和下部叶游离态硼、原生质体硼和细胞壁硼的含量和相对分配比例没有显著差异,说明硼在不同类型脐橙叶片细胞各组分中的分配是相对稳定的。缺硼后水溶性硼 (包括游离态硼和原生质体硼) 在脐橙上部叶和下部叶中都降到极低的水平,尤其是原生质体硼百分含量下部叶甚至是低于上部叶的。缺硼后细胞壁硼占总硼的比例则由22%左右增加到80%以上。与叶片中硼含量的变化趋势一致,缺硼以后虽然上部叶和下部叶细胞壁硼含量都显著降低,但上部叶降低的程度远大于下部叶。进一步分析细胞壁组分硼含量变化,发现缺硼显著降低了上部叶细胞壁中离子结合态果胶硼含量而对下部叶的无明显影响,其他组分硼含量的变化趋势下部叶和上部叶一致。 【结论】 原生质体硼含量的高低并不是决定缺硼症状的主要因素,离子结合态果胶与硼的结合能力对缺硼条件下细胞壁的结构及缺硼症状表现起着至关重要的作用。      

Silicon mitigates boron deficiency and toxicity in cotton cultivated in nutrient solution

Silicon (Si) application, both via foliar application and via roots, may be promising to improve plant growth under different biotic or abiotic stresses. In the present study, we investigated whether application of Si can also mitigate the harmful effects of boron (B)‐related nutritional disorders, such as B deficiency, when the application of B is inefficient or insufficient, and B toxicity, when the soil presents high levels of B. This may enable producers to apply Si preventively, if there is a low availability of B in the environment or if B deficiency is induced during the growth season due to a water deficit reducing the plant's B absorption. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of leaf and root Si application on alleviating the harmful effects of B deficiency and toxicity in cotton. Three experiments were carried out with cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum cv. Bayer FM910®), using a soilless system. In a first experiment, we determined that highest plant Si concentrations were obtained with application of stabilized sodium and potassium silicate at concentrations of 0.8 g L^?1 (foliar) and 0.056 g L^?1 (roots). Experiment 2 indicated that the B concentrations in the nutrient solution associated with moderate B deficiency, sufficiency and moderate toxicity were 33.7, 83.6, and 130.5 µM B L^?1, respectively. In Experiment 3 we evaluated the effect of optimum Si applications on the physiology and dry weight production of cotton plants subjected to B deficiency, sufficiency, and toxicity. Silicon mitigated the harmful effects of both B deficiency and toxicity by increasing whole‐plant biomass production and levels of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll, and reduced initial and maximum fluorescence, thereby improving the quantum efficiency of photosystem II. Collectively, these results indicate that the greatest benefit of Si in mitigating B deficiency occurred with foliar B application, while Si supplied via the nutrient solution was more effective against B toxicity.     

Interaction between zinc deficiency and boron toxicity on growth and mineral nutrition of sour orange seedlings

Sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) seedlings were grown for 3 months in diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA)‐buffered nutrient solutions to study the effect of Zn stress on the plants’ sensitivity to high boron concentration in the root environment. There were three zinc treatments: 21 μM Zn (LOW Zn‐DTPA), 69 μM Zn (NORMAL Zn‐DTPA) in the nutrient solution, or 12 weekly foliar sprays with ZnSO₄ (FOLIAR‐Zn). In the FOLIAR‐Zn treatment, the nutrient solution contained 21 μM Zn. Zn activities calculated with a chemical equilibrium model, Geochem PC, and expressed as pZn=‐log(Zn⁺²), were 10.2 and 9.7 in the LOW Zn‐DTPA and NORMAL Zn‐DTPA nutrient solutions, respectively. One half of the plants in each Zn treatment were grown in 51 μM B (NORMAL‐B) and the other half in 200 μM B (HIGH‐B) nutrient solution. Seedlings grown in LOW Zn‐DTPA/NORMAL‐B nutrient solution developed Zn deficiency symptoms such as: reduced shoot growth, small and chlorotic leaves, and white roots with visibly shorter and thicker laterals than in Zn sufficient plants. The HIGH‐B treatment decreased shoot growth, leaf and stem dry weight, leaf area, and induced severe leaf B toxicity on seedlings grown in the LOW Zn‐DTPA nutrient solution but the effect was either absent or less pronounced in the NORMAL Zn‐DTPA or FOLIAR‐Zn treatments. Seedlings in the LOW Zn‐DTPA FOLIAR‐Zn treatments but they had lower B concentration on a whole plant basis indicating less B uptake per unit of dry weight. The FOLIAR‐Zn and NORMAL Zn‐DTPA treatments were equally effective in alleviating leaf B toxicity symptoms. The FOLIAR‐Zn treatment, however, was less effective than the NORMAL Zn‐DTPA treatment in alleviating the deleterious effect of high B on leaf dry weight even though the B concentrations in leaves, stems, and roots of the foliar‐sprayed seedlings were similar to the NORMAL Zn‐DTPA seedlings. Leaf concentrations of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, mangenese, and copper were within the optimal range for citrus with the exception of Ca which was low. Although B and particularly Zn treatments modified the concentration of some of these elements in leaves and roots, these changes were too small to explain the observed growth responses. The observation that B toxicity symptoms in Zn‐deficient citrus could be mitigated with Zn applications is of potential practical importance as B toxicity and Zn deficiency are simultaneously encountered in some soils of semiarid zones.     

缺硼槟榔幼苗的生理反应和根系发育特征

  【目的】  探究缺硼对槟榔幼苗生理特征和根系形态的影响,以期为槟榔缺硼（B）诊断提供理论依据。  【方法】  以‘热研1号’槟榔幼苗为材料进行了砂培试验。设置营养液中不加B (B0,0 μmol/L) 和添加常规硼 (B50,50 μmol/L) 两个浓度处理。生长3个月后,测定了槟榔幼苗生物量、株高、硼含量、叶片糖类物质以及抗氧化酶活性、丙二醛含量、光合速率,观察了不同处理下根尖及根尖细胞的形态。  【结果】  与B50处理相比,B0处理显著降低了槟榔幼苗株高、地下部鲜重和干重、总鲜重、地上部和地下部硼含量;B0处理槟榔叶片蔗糖和淀粉含量下降,可溶性总糖含量无显著变化,叶片光合速率降低,且MDA含量、POD活性显著升高。在B0条件下,槟榔根系变短,根尖明显膨大,细胞壁明显增厚,且内壁上积累了大量的颗粒物,根系活力显著降低。  【结论】  缺硼导致槟榔幼苗根尖解剖结构受到破坏,养分吸收运转能力降低,叶片抗氧化系统受到损伤,光合能力下降,最终抑制植株生长。     

Foliar Symptomology and Tissue Concentrations of Nutrient‐Deficient Vegetative Strawflower Plants

Abstract

Elemental deficiencies of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, or boron (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, or B) were induced in plants of Florabella Pink strawflower [Bracteantha bracteata (Vent.) A. A. Anderberg]. Rooted stem cuttings were planted in 4.87‐L plastic containers and fertilized with a complete modified Hoagland's solution or this solution minus the element that was to be investigated. Plants were harvested for tissue analyses as well as dry weights when initial foliar symptoms were expressed and later under advanced deficiency symptoms. Deficiency symptoms for all treatments were observed within 7 weeks. The most dramatic expression of foliar symptoms occurred with N (chlorotic lower foliage leading to necrotic margins on the mature leaves), Ca (black necrotic spots on the tips of the young leaves), S (uniform chlorosis of young leaves and recently mature leaves), B (thick, leathery, and deformed young leaves), Fe (uniform yellowish‐green chlorosis on the young leaves), and Zn (brownish‐gray necrosis on the tips of the mature leaves). At the initial stage, only Fe‐deficient plants weighed less than the control, whereas K‐, Ca‐, and Mg‐deficient plants had greater dry weights than plants receiving the complete modified Hoagland's solution (control plants). Dry weights of plants treated with solutions not containing N, P, Ca, S, Cu, or Mn were significantly lower when compared with the control plants under an advanced deficiency. Foliar‐tissue concentration data will assist plant‐tissue analysis laboratories in establishing foliar symptom standards for growers.     

Response of two pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars to six boron concentrations: Growth performance,nutrient status,gas exchange parameters,chlorophyll fluorescence,and proline and carbohydrate content

One-year-old, own-rooted pomegranate cultivars “Ermioni” and “Wonderful” plants were irrigated for 75 days with modified Hoagland nutrient solutions containing 0–10 mg L^?1 boron (B). At the end of the experiment, the control plants of “Ermioni” presented better growth performance than those of “Wonderful.” However, there were no differences in the treatments with high B concentration (5.0 or 10 mg L^?1). Control “Wonderful” plants had higher fresh and dry matter than control “Ermioni” plants. Moreover, the highest B concentrations in nutrient solution led to a significant increase in chlorophyll and carbohydrate content in the leaves of cultivar “Ermioni.” Furthermore, leaf proline concentration, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and micro–macronutrients of both cultivars were not affected by any of the tested B treatments. B concentration in plant parts was linearly correlated to B supply. The highest B concentrations were observed in roots followed by stems and apical and basal leaves.     

不同钾硼水平下棉花生长及钾硼利用效率的差异

用鄂抗8号棉花为试验材料,以水培的方法研究了不同钾、硼水平下棉花的生长状况及钾、硼的利用效率。结果表明:与正常处理(K 20 mg/L,B 0.2 mg/L)棉花相比,(1)缺钾(K 2 mg/L,B 0.2 mg/L)阻碍棉花地上部正常生长、干物质的积累,叶绿素合成受阻,但促进了根的伸长,缺钾不利于棉株对硼的吸收和利用,增加钾供应量可以促进硼的吸收利用。(2)缺硼(K 20 mg/L,B 0.002 mg/L)不利于棉株生长,棉株干物质积累量减少,不利于棉花对钾的吸收利用。(3)缺钾缺硼(K 2 mg/L,B 0.002 mg/L)时,棉花的生物量、SPAD值和钾、硼积累量均显著降低,钾的利用效率升高了143%,但对硼的利用受到抑制。研究结果表明,缺钾阻碍棉花对硼的吸收利用,缺硼不利于棉花对钾的吸收利用,而缺钾缺硼时,棉花对钾的利用受到促进,对硼的利用受到抑制。     

Boron Requirement of Irrigated Cotton in a Typic Haplocambid for Optimum Productivity and Seed Composition

Boron (B) deficiency hampers cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) growth and productivity globally, especially in calcareous soils. The crop is known as a heavy feeder of B; however, its reported plant analysis diagnostic norms for B-deficiency diagnosis vary drastically. In a 2-year field experiment on a B-deficient [hydrochloric acid (HCl)–extractable 0.47 mg B kg^?1], calcareous, Typic Haplocambid, we studied the impact of soil-applied B on cotton (cv. CIM-473) growth, productivity, plant tissue B concentration, and seed oil composition. Boron was applied at 0.0, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 kg B ha^?1, as borax (Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O), in a randomized complete block design with four replications, along with recommended rates of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and zinc (Zn). Boron use improved crop growth, decreased fruit shedding, and increased boll weight, leading to seed cotton yield increases up to 14.7% (P < 0.05). Improved B nutrition of plants also enhanced seed oil content (P < 0.05) and increased seed protein content (P < 0.05). Fiber quality was not affected. Fertilizer B use was highly cost-effective, with a value–cost ratio of 12.3:1 at 1 kg B ha^?1. Fertilizer B requirement for near-maximum (95% of maximum) seed cotton yield was 1.1 kg B ha^?1 and HCl-extractable soil B requirement for was 0.52 kg ha^?1. Leaf tissue B requirement varied with leaf age as well as with plant age. In 30-day plants (i.e., at squaring), B-deficiency diagnosis critical level was 45.0 mg kg^?1 in recently matured leaves and 38.0 mg kg^?1 in youngest open leaves; at 60 days old (i.e., at flowering), critical concentration was 55.0 mg kg^?1 in mature leaves and 43.0 mg kg^?1 in youngest leaves. With advancement in plant age critical B concentration decreased in both leaf tissues; that is, in 90-day-old plants (i.e., at boll formation) it was 43.0 mg kg^?1 in mature leaves and 35.0 mg kg^?1 in the youngest leaves. As critical concentration range was narrower in youngest leaves (i.e., 35–43 mg kg^?1) compared with mature leaves (i.e., 43–55 mg kg^?1), B concentration in youngest leaves is considered a better indicator for deficiency diagnosis.     

不同硼效率棉花品种木质部和韧皮部汁液中矿质养分的差异

溶液培养条件下研究硼对2个硼效率不同的棉花品种木质部、韧皮部中硼及其它矿质养分运输的影响。结果表明,缺硼使2个棉花品种木质部汁液硼含量及溢出量明显降低,低效品种降低幅度大于高效品种。供硼充足(0.5mg/L)时,2个棉花品种木质部汁液中硼浓度均小于培养液中硼浓度;缺硼(0.002mg/L)时,高效品种与低效品种木质部汁液硼浓度分别是培养液硼浓度的32.0和20.5倍。缺硼使2个棉花品种木质部汁液中钾、锰、铜、锌含量均升高,高效品种升高幅度较大;钙含量均降低,低效品种降低幅度较大;高效品种镁含量增高,低效品种降低。而2个棉花品种木质部各养分(钾、镁、钙、锰、铜、锌)溢出量均降低,低效品种降低更明显。无论在缺硼或供硼充足时,2个棉花品种韧皮部中硼浓度均极低,但韧皮部溢泌液中其它养分受缺硼影响品种间表现不同,高效品种韧皮部钾、镁、锰、铜溢出量升高,低效品种则降低;2个品种钙、锌溢出量均降低,低效品种降低幅度更大。     

Interaction of silicon and boron in oilseed rape plants

Shoot and root dry matter yields of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) grown on the solutions containing 0.025 and 5.0 μg boron (B)/mL (referred to as B1 and B3, respectively) were less than those grown on the solutions containing 0.5 μg B/mL (referred to as B2). Silicon (Si) added increased shoot and root dry matter yields of B1‐treated plants, while decreased those of B3‐treated plants. Shoot and root dry matter yields of B2‐treated plants were slightly affected by Si added. The effect of B and Si on leaf area was similar to that on shoot and root dry matter yields. Excessive B supply (B3) and B deficiency (B1) resulted in a decrease in net photosynthetic rate. Silicon added increased the net photosynthetic rate under B deficiency, but had little effect at normal and excessive B levels. Silicon seems to enhance B uptake and accumulation by plants under B deficiency, but depresses B uptake at normal and excessive B levels. The Si/B ratios of B1‐ and B2‐treated plants were much lower than those of the culture solutions, whereas at the B3 level were slightly higher than those of the culture solutions. Phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) contents in plants decreased with increasing Si added at the B3 level, but remained relatively constant at B1 and B2 levels.     

Acclimation of eggplant (Solanum melongena) to low boron supply

Root active uptake and remobilization of boron (B) have been accepted as mechanisms contributing to nutrient efficiency under low supply of boron. Here, we examined the existence of these mechanisms in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) supplied either with luxury (100 μM, B+) or low (7.5 μM, B–) B in the growth medium via semihydroponic cultivation. Boron treatment was marginally not limiting growth thus avoiding side‐effects and impairment of acclimation mechanisms of plants. The induction of a B‐concentrating mechanism was evident in the roots as B concentration in the xylem sap was only decreased by 23% in B– compared to B+ plants, i.e., B– roots concentrated B by a factor of 2.7 relative to the external solution. Leaf B concentration in the B– treatment decreased by 33% and 40% in young fully expanded and mature leaves, respectively. Larger differences were observed in the soluble B fraction that decreased by 65% in mature leaves. However, both total and soluble B concentrations in developing leaves were almost equal for both treatments exhibiting a pattern commonly observed in B‐remobilizing plants. On the other hand, amounts of B export in the phloem sap were small compared to other species in which B is highly mobile. The B export rate from source leaves was slightly increased under low B supply while that of sucrose was not affected. We conclude that the root concentrating mechanism contributes to the alleviation of B deficiency in eggplant under low B supply while B remobilization may also contribute to a lower degree.     

Boron utilization by potato in nutrient cultures and in field plantings

Abstract

Analysis of soil and plant tissue for boron (B) is routine, but more information is needed to clarify the interpretations of test results as a basis for B fertilization of potato (Solarium tuberosum L.). Experiments were conducted in nutrient cultures and in the field to relate the utilization of B by potato plants to visual symptoms of deficiency and toxicity. Without added B the nutrient cultures produced B‐deficient potato plants, but the field plots with 0.3 to 0.4 mg of hot water soluble B/kg of soil did not. Plant shoots from nutrient cultures had a minimum of 13 mg B/kg as compared with plants in field plots with 30 mg B/kg in vines. Concentrations to 50 mg B/kg of dry matter were obtained in plant shoots from nutrient cultures with 1 mg B/L added and in field‐grown plants fertilized with 2.2 kg B/ha. Toxicity to B appeared or was eminent from either adding 3 mg B/L or more to nutrient solutions or 4.5 kg B/ha or more to the field plots. These results suggest the feasibility of developing critical nutrient (sufficiency) ranges for B in plant shoots and vines.     

Boron nutrition and mobility,and its relation to the elemental composition of greenhouse grown root crops. II radish

Abstract

The elemental distribution between the leaves and roots of mature radish (Raphanus sativus cv Cherry Belle) plants grown in the greenhouse with various concentrations of nutrient solution B or Ca was determined to assess the role of phloem in the provision of nutrients to the root, and the retranslocation of B under deficient conditions. The relative composition and accumulation of elements in different parts, and the ratio of their concentrations in leaves:roots were used as a measure of their uptake, relative mobility and retranslocation. The data indicate that B, but not Ca is retranslocated in the phloem to the roots when that particular element was in short supply in the nutrient solution. B deficiency induced brown heart disorder in radish roots but the severity was dependent on the degree of deficiency below 28 μg g^‐l DM in the root. These symptoms were alleviated when the root B concentrations were enhanced by foliar applications of B. It is concluded that radish responded to B deficiency in a fashion similar to that reported previously for rutabaga and that it might serve as a time‐saving model system for examining the mechanisms responsible for brown heart in rutabaga.     

Phosphorus,potassium and calcium concentration limits in bean plants grown under deficiency after a period of sufficiency

Bush bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv Tacacarigua) were grown under deficient P, K or Ca nutrient solutions after seven days in sufficiency and relative growth rate, root weight ratio, specific leaf area, leaf area development and nutrient concentration profiles in the dry matter of succesive leaves, analyzed throughout ontogeny. Acute Deficiency Concentration Limits (ADCL) were defined for P (0.14%) and K (1.20%) as the concentration in the leaves able to sustain a state of marginal growth, and may indicate the physiological condition in which restoration of optimal supply may not be followed by a recovery of the plants. The continuation of growth, dry matter dilution and retranslocation within the plant are suggested as major determinants of ADCL.