Preferential translocation of boron to young leaves in Arabidopsis thaliana Regulated by the BOR1 Gene

A mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana, bor1-1 (Noguchi et al. 1997: Plant Physiol., 115, 901–916) requires high levels of boron (B) for normal growth. We analyzed the B-deficiency symptoms of bor1-1 mutant plants in detail. A low B supply retarded the growth of the mutant plants more evidently in leaves than in roots. In particular, cell expansion and formation of air spaces were severely impaired by B deficiency in young rosette leaves. Such defects in growth were correlated with the reduced contents of B in leaves. These defects were not observed when a sufficient amount of B was supplied. Uptake experiments with ¹⁰B-enriched tracer B demonstrated that B taken up through roots was preferentially transported to young leaves compared to old leaves in the wild-type plants under a low B supply. Such a preferential transport to young leaves was not evident in the mutant plants. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that in A. thaliana plants B is preferentially transported to young organs under a low B supply and that this transport process is controlled at least in part by the BOR1 gene.     

Arsenic uptake is suppressed in a rice mutant defective in silicon uptake

Possible mechanisms of the effects of silicon (Si) on arsenic (As) uptake were explored using a wild‐type rice and its low‐Si mutant (lsi1). Hydroponic experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of internal and external Si on the As accumulation and uptake by rice in excised roots (28 d–old seedlings) and xylem sap (61 d–old plants). The presence of Si significantly decreased the As concentrations in both shoots and roots of the wild type but not in the mutant with 13.3 μM–arsenite or 10/20 μM–arsenate treatments. The Si‐defective mutant rice (lsi1) also showed a significant reduction in arsenite or arsenate uptake. Moreover, As concentrations in xylem sap of the wild type were reduced by 51% with 1 mM Si– and 15 μM–arsenate treatments, while Si had no effect on As concentrations in the xylem sap of the mutant. Arsenic‐species analysis further indicated that the addition of 1 mM Si significantly decreased As(III) concentrations but had little effect on As(V) concentrations in the xylem sap of the wild type with 15 μM–arsenate treatments. These results indicated that external Si‐mediated reduction in arsenite uptake by rice is due to the direct competition between Si and arsenite during uptake. This is because both share the same influx transporter Lsi1. In addition, internal Si‐mediated reduction in arsenite uptake by rice is due to competition of the Si/arsenite efflux transporter Lsi2 during the As(III)‐transportation process. Silicon also inhibited arsenate uptake by rice. It is proposed that this could actually be due not to the inhibition of arsenate uptake per se but rather the inhibition of arsenite transformed from arsenate, either in the external solution or in rice roots.     

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。     

Boron Nutrition,Intracellular Transport,and Knife-Cut Disease in Sunflower

The present study was conducted to investigate in sunflower the processes of boron (B) uptake, intracellular compartmentation, and xylem translocation in response to B supply, ranging from deficiency to incipient toxicity, and to short-term changes in B supply. The experiments were conducted with two sunflower genotypes, selected on the basis of their susceptibility to knife-cut disease. It appears that the roots of the susceptible genotype of sunflower were more sensitive to low B contents in the solution media than the shoots. The decrease in root dry weight in high-B treatments could also indicate it was more sensitive to B toxicity. Though root dry weight decreased, the shoot/root dry-weight ratio was smaller in the resistant genotype, suggesting that this genotype would have a substantially larger root volume, capable of supporting the B demand of its shoots. The B contents in the water-insoluble residue (WIR) of roots were similar for all genotypes and treatments. In contrast, the B concentration in WIR of leaves reached values near saturation only when B started to accumulate in the cell sap (CS) of roots to the level as detected in CS of leaves. The critical values of B concentrations in shoot tissues would then be established after the B requirement for cell walls was satisfied and a proper metabolic B content in CS of roots was reached. Uptake efficiency (UE) values less than 1.00, detected as a result of treatments with high concentrations of B in the nutrient solution, suggested the presence of an exclusion mechanism that restricted B accumulation. The high UE value obtained with low-B treatments indicated that mechanisms other than mass flow had played a role in providing the acquired B.     

Effects of excess boron on growth,gas exchange,and boron status of four orange scion–rootstock combinations

Field observations indicate that boron (B)‐toxicity symptoms may occur in citrus plants from inappropriate foliar spraying or overfertilizing with B especially under low‐rainfall conditions, where B can accumulate to levels that become toxic to plant growth. Previous work has indicated that different rootstocks can greatly influence the scion's tolerance to B toxicity, however, little is known about the response of different citrus scion–rootstock combinations to excess‐B conditions. In the present study, we investigated the effects of excess B on plant growth, gas exchange, B concentration, and distribution of four scion–rootstock combinations, Newhall and Skagg's Bonanza navel orange (Citrus sinensis Osb.) scions grafted on Carrizo citrange (C. sinensis L. Osb. × Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) and Trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) rootstocks. One‐year‐old plants of the four scion–rootstock combinations were grown for 183 d in sand–perlite (1 : 1, v/v) medium under greenhouse conditions. The plants were irrigated with half‐strength Hoagland's nutrient solution containing two B concentrations, 0.25 (control) and 2.50 (excess B) mg L^–1. It was found that, apart from the combination of Newhall grafted on Carrizo citrange, the dry weights in various parts of the other three combinations were reduced by the excess‐B treatment. Furthermore, the plants of Skagg's Bonanza grafted on Carrizo citrange showed the highest growth reduction amongst the four scion–rootstock combinations. In most cases, the greater reductions in dry weight were found in roots as compared to the other plant parts under excess‐B conditions, indicating that roots were more sensitive to B toxicity than the other tissues. In the case of Newhall plants grafted on Carrizo citrange, the entire plant growth was increased by excess‐B treatment. Boron concentrations in all plants parts increased significantly by increasing the B supply in the nutrient solution. Leaves were the dominant sites of B accumulation and showed the greatest increase in B concentration compared to the other plant parts, as B concentration in the nutrient solution increased. Our results indicate that the combination of Newhall grafted on Carrizo citrange was more tolerant to B toxicity, while the combination of Skagg's Bonanza grafted on Carrizo citrange was relatively more sensitive to B toxicity, in comparison with the other scion–rootstock combinations. However, Newhall plants contained more B in leaves and in roots than Skagg's Bonanza plants when they were both grafted on Carrizo citrange, indicating that the mechanism underlying such great differential growth responses of the two scion–rootstock combinations to B toxicity may not be associated with B exclusion from roots or reduced translocation of B to shoots. Furthermore, B distribution in different plant parts implied that the mechanism was also unlikely related to altered distributions of accumulated B in plant tissues. However, inherent ability to tolerate excessive B concentration in plant tissues may be involved in B tolerance.     

Effects of boron excess in nutrient solution on growth,mineral nutrition,and physiological parameters of Jatropha curcas seedlings

Jatropha curcas L. has recently attracted the attention of the international research community due to its potential as a biodiesel crop. In addition, its high resistance to drought and salinity is well known. Under arid and semiarid conditions, boron (B) concentrations in irrigation water can be higher than desired when water from industry, urban areas, or desalination is used. However, the growth and physiological responses of J. curcas plants to B excess in the irrigation water are unknown. Therefore, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the effects of B excess in the nutrient solution (0.25, 2, 4.5, and 7 mg L^–1 B, applied as H₃BO₃) on plant growth, mineral concentration in the different plant tissues, photosynthesis, water relations, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll concentration (as SPAD values), and composition of carbohydrates. Plant growth decreased with increasing B concentration in the nutrient solution; growth reduction was higher for roots than for leaves or stems. The B concentration increased in all plant tissues, in the following order: leaf > root > stem. These data indicate that the roots of J. curcas are more sensitive to B toxicity than the leaves and that B has restricted mobility inside these plants, accumulating mainly in the basal and middle leaves via the transpiration stream. Increasing B concentration in leaves decreased the A_CO2 and the stomatal conductance, but the leaf water parameters were not affected. The data for chlorophyll concentration and chlorophyll fluorescence indicated that nonstomatal factors were involved in the A_CO2 decline, whereas decreases in the parameters of PSII photochemistry due to B toxicity suggest that there was structural damage in chloroplasts. There was also a general tendency for a decrease in nonstructural carbohydrates in all plant tissues, possibly due to the decline in A_CO2. With excess B, the concentrations of K and Mg increased in leaves due to a decrease in the growth, while a typical antagonistic effect between B and P was evident from the P concentration decrease in leaves. In summary, J. curcas should be considered a B‐sensitive plant, as a leaf B concentration of 1.2 mg (g dw)^–1 caused a growth decline of approximately 30%.     

Role of overexpressed BOR4, a boron exporter,in tolerance to high level of boron in shoots

High boron (B) tolerance is an important trait for crop production in high-B soils. We previously reported that overexpression of BOR4, an Arabidopsis thaliana B exporter, conferred high B tolerance in A. thaliana. This improvement appeared to be mainly due to the decreased B concentrations in roots through BOR4-mediated exclusion of B. In the present study, we describe a novel role of overexpressed BOR4 in shoots for high B tolerance. We compared shoot growth of wild type A. thaliana and transgenic plants moderately overexpressing BOR4 in relation to B concentration in shoots. It was found that growths and chlorophyll accumulation of shoots containing similar levels of B are better in the transgenic plants than the wild type. This finding established that BOR4-overexpressing plants are more capable of expanding leaves and accumulating chlorophyll in the presence of high B in shoot tissues. BOR4-GFP was found to be localized to plasma membrane in leaf epidermis cells. We suggest that overexpressed BOR4 alters B distribution in leaves by exporting B from the cytoplasm to the apoplast, leading to enhancement of high B tolerance in shoots.     

Boron toxicity in kiwifruit plants (Actinidia deliciosa), treated with nitrate,ammonium, and a mixture of both

The objective of this research was to study the effects of nitrogen (N) forms (NO₃^–, 2.6 mM; NH₄⁺, 2.6 mM; NO₃^–, 1 mM + NH₄⁺, 1.6 mM) on the growth and mineral composition of kiwifruit plants exposed to three boron (B) levels (0.025, 0.1, 0.3 mM). The kiwifruit plants were grown in a 1:1 sand : perlite mixture and irrigated daily with nutrient solutions. Shoot height, mean shoot dry weight, the number of leaves, mean leaf dry weight, and N concentration of NH₄‐treated plants were significantly higher compared to the NO₃^– treatment at all B levels. The concentration of 0.3 mM B significantly reduced shoot height for all N treatments. Boron toxicity symptoms appeared 14 days after starting the experiment, when plants were treated with 0.1 and/or 0.3 mM B. The nitrate supply reduced the B concentration of roots, but B levels of different leaf parts were hardly affected by the N form. Furthermore, the NH₄‐N form significantly reduced the Mg concentration of the leaves.     

Remobilization of iron from primary leaves of bean plants grown at various iron levels

In order to study the effect of different growth rates of the shoot apex, i.e. shoot demand, on the remobilization of iron (Fe) from mature (primary) leaves, bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants were precultured with 8x10^‐5 M FeEDTA for four days. Thereafter, plants were grown for another six days at various levels of Fe (0.0, 1.0, and 10.0μM FeEDTA), and simultaneously treated with or without shading of one primary leaf. Dry weight increment of the shoot apex decreased with decreased Fe in the nutrient solution. Shading of one primary leaf decreased total dry weight of plants irrespective of Fe supply, but increased the dry weight of the shoot apex of plants supplied without Fe or with only 1.0μM Fe. In these plants, the concentration of chlorophyll and Fe in the shoot apex corresponded with the treatment effects on dry weight of the shoot apex. Shading induced senescence of the shaded leaf, decreased the content of “active Fe”; (extractable in dilute acid), and also enhanced the remobilization of Fe and copper (Cu) from the shaded leaf. The remobilization of Fe from primary leaves was not related to the severity of chlorosis in the shoot apex (the Fe demand of sink tissue), indicating that only a certain fraction of the total Fe in mature leaves can be remobilized.     

不同硼效率棉花品种根系参数和伤流液组分的差异

溶液培养条件下研究硼对不同硼效率棉花品种根系参数、伤流量及伤流液组分的影响。结果表明,缺硼抑制棉花根系生长,根重、根体积、根长、活跃吸收面积、总吸收面积、活跃吸收面积占总吸收面积的比例以及伤流量均显著降低,高效品种降低幅度比低效品种小;缺硼还使高效品种根系比表面积升高,而低效品种无显著变化。缺硼显著影响不同棉花品种伤流液各组分含量,与低效品种相比,高效品种伤流液中有较多的NO3-、K+、无机磷、可溶性糖和游离氨基酸。说明缺硼条件下高效品种根系比低效品种具有更强的吸收、代谢活力,可能是其硼效率较高的主要原因之一。     

Effects of different boron concentration on the growth and physiological characteristics of two olive cultivars

This study investigated the effect of different boron concentrations on growth and physiological characteristics of olive plants. The absorption of some macronutrients and distribution of boron were also examined. This research was carried out in a completely randomized design with factorial arrangements including six boron levels (0.2, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg L^?1) and two cultivars (Amygdalolia and Konservolia), with four replications for each treatment. Two-year old seedlings were treated with Hoagland nutrient solution containing different boron (B) concentration for 4 months. Chlorophyll fluorescence, fresh and dry weight of leaves, stems and roots as well as absorption of macronutrients decreased in both cultivars as the boron level were increased. Diagnostic symptoms of boron toxicity appeared 45 and 75 days after planting for Amygdaloila and Konservolia at 30, 40 and 50 mg L^?1; and 40 and 50 mg L^?1 of boron, respectively. Our results showed that at a higher level of B, the Konservolia cultivar maintained more B concentration in its root than Amygdalolia cultivar; however, B content in young leaves of Amygdalolia was higher than Konservolia. It seems that Konservolia cultivar could accumulate B in its roots and prevents its translocation to the leaves through an internal tolerance mechanism; therefore, Konservolia shows greater tolerance to high concentrations of boron compared to Amygdalolia.     

Boron‐and‐salt interactions in wheat are affected by boron supply

Plants in arid or semiarid areas often experience simultaneous salt and boron (B) stress. Interactive effects on stress responses have been clearly established, but results are inconsistent and variably indicate antagonistic or synergistic interactions even within the same plant species. In this study, five differently B‐ and salt‐resistant wheat genotypes were grown hydroponically at low and high B supply. The effect of increasing NaCl salinity on plant growth, boron uptake rates, shoot B concentrations, and transpiration was determined under both B regimes. The interactive effect of salt and B was different under low and high B supply. Boron‐uptake rates were reduced with increasing salt concentration only under high B supply, and reductions correlated significantly with decreases in leaf area and shoot B concentrations. Under low B supply, however, salt‐induced effects on B‐uptake rates were variable and not significantly correlated with leaf‐area reductions. These results suggest that under high B supply, when B uptake is predominantly passive by diffusion or channel‐mediated via aquaporins, transpiration‐driven water flow is the dominant factor for B accumulation in arial plant parts. Under low B supply, when a significant portion of B can be taken up via active pathways, transpiration is not the decisive factor for B accumulation. Under these conditions, the salt sensitivity of a genotype is a modifying factor of salt–B interactions, because salt‐induced growth inhibition can result in a concentration effect, offset the reduction of B‐uptake rates, and result in increased shoot B concentrations. Contradictory reports on the nature of salt–B interactions might in part be related to low levels of B supply chosen as control treatments and concomittant differences in predominant B‐uptake pathways.     

A miniaturized curcumin method for the determination of boron in solutions and biological samples

Methods for the determination of boron require either sophisticated and expensive equipment (e.g. ICP-OES or ICP-MS) or a relatively large sample volume (e.g. spectrophotometric methods). A modified and miniaturized spectrophotometric curcumin method is presented which allows the determination of boron in sample volumes of 50—150 μl with a detection limit of 0.010 mg B l¹. The calibration curve is linear up to a concentration of 3 mg B l¹. Interferences with other ions are eliminated by extraction of boron with 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol in chloroform. Simultaneously, enrichment of boron in the sample can be performed within the same extraction step. Results show good reproducibility with a relative standard deviation of 15% at B concentrations between 0.05 and 0.40 mg B l^—1. In different types of solutions, recovery of added boron was in the range of 98 to 99%. For several plant materials containing from 18 to 58 μg B (g dw)¹, an overall relative standard deviation of 4.5% was established. So far, the method has been successfully applied to determine boron in waters, nutrient solutions, different plant parts (roots, stems and leaves) as well as in phloem sap and apoplastic washing fluid of several plant species.     

Effects of Boron and Calcium Supply on Calcium Fractionation in Plants and Suspension Cells of Rape Cultivars with Different Boron Efficiency

Abstract

In this study, the effects of boron (B) and calcium (Ca) supply on Ca fractionation in suspension cells and different tissues of rape (Brassica napus L.) plants of two cultivars with different B efficiency were studied, with a purpose to elucidate the mechanism by which B affects Ca concentration in plants. As Ca supply increased in nutrient solution or culture medium, the relatively easily extractable Ca fractions, that is H₂O and 80% ethanol extractable Ca in leaves, 1 mol L^?1 NaCl extractable Ca in upper leaves, roots and suspension‐cell were significantly increased. While the recalcitrant Ca fractions extracted by 2% acetic acid, 0.6 mol L^?1 HCl and Ca in the residue were not affected by Ca supply. Increasing B supply in nutrient solution or culture media significantly reduced 1 mol L^?1NaCl extracted Ca in suspension cell and roots of both cultivars, which were most likely related to the alteration of cell wall metabolism. Calcium extracted by 2% acetic acid, 0.6 mol L^?1 HCl and Ca in residue in suspension‐cell and roots of B inefficient cultivar Bakow were easily improved by B deficiency as compared to that of B efficient cultivar Tezao16. Increasing of these relative recalcitrant Ca fractions was related to the different response of cultivars to the B deficiency, which may reflected different extent that Ca deposited in the two cultivars due to impaired membrane integrity under B deficiency. The effects of B on Ca concentration in lower and upper leaves of the two cultivars were quite different and were the integrated effects of B on Ca metabolism, Ca transport in plants and growth of certain organ. Increasing B supply increased total Ca concentration in upper leaves of Bakow and reduced that of Tezao16, which might relate to the different adaptability of the two cultivars to comparatively higher B supply.     

PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS L. IN RESPONSE TO BORON NUTRITION

Catharanthus roseus L., a medicinally important plant was grown till maturity at varying levels of boron (0.033, 0.066, 0.33 and 3.3 mg B L^?1) supply. Optimum yield was observed in plants receiving 0.33 mg B L^?1. Plants receiving deficient boron showed growth reduction and visual symptoms such as chlorosis and cupping of young emerging leaves and apical tip necrosis. The number and size of the flowers, pods and seeds formed and the pollen viability of the boron deficient plants was markedly reduced. The threshold values for deficiency and toxicity were 57 and 79 μg B g^?1 dry weight for vegetative growth and 60.4 and 68.9 μg B g^?1 dry weight for reproductive growth, respectively, and is reported for the first time in periwinkle. An increase was observed in reducing and non-reducing sugars and in activity of acid phosphatase and ribonuclease in boron stressed plants.     

Critical Levels of Boron in Cotton Plants

The lower and upper critical boron levels in cotton (Gossypium herbaceum-Etawa), which are not estimated, were determined to provide guideline values for estimating the boron status from deficiency to toxicity. Cotton plants were grown under greenhouse conditions in complete nutrient solution containing boron at levels ranging from 0 to 50 ppm. Plants were harvested after 40 days and analysed for B, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu. The lower critical levels for boron in roots, young leaves and old leaves were 103, 61 and 78 ppm, while critical nutrient toxicity levels were 129, 80 and 91 ppm, respectively. For the Gossypium herbaceum-Etawa cultivar, the maximum growth was obtained when 1 ppm boron was applied as H₃BO₃ in the nutrient solution. High boron concentrations in the nutrient solution were associated with low content of Zn, Fe and Mn in the plants, while boron and Cu concentrations increased with boron supply. Significant correlations were found between B treatments and most response parameters measured.     

Effect of nitrogen supply on carbon and nitrogen partitioning after flowering in maize

Low nitrogen (N) supply may change assimilate partitioning between plant organs. We measured the effect of N supply on partitioning of recently assimilated ¹³C and recently absorbed ¹⁵N between generative and vegetative plant organs of two maize genotypes (Zea mays L.) 14 d after silking, i.e., during the lag phase of kernel growth. Furthermore, net partitioning of dry matter and N were assessed during grain filling. Plants were grown in a greenhouse in large containers. Our hypothesis was that N deficiency reduces grain set due to low partitioning of carbon (C) and N to the grains during the lag phase and reduces grain yield also because of excessive remobilization of N from the leaves during grain filling. During the lag phase, low N supply increased partitioning of recently assimilated photosynthates towards stem and roots at the expense of partitioning towards reproductive organs. However, despite of diminished sink strength of the reproductive organs for photosynthates, sugar concentrations in the grains of N‐deficient plants were increased, indicating that kernel set and potential kernel weight were not limited by low C supply at the end of the lag phase. In contrast to C, partitioning of recently absorbed N towards the reproductive organs was increased at low N supply at the expense of partitioning towards the roots. This indicates different mechanisms for the regulation of C and N distribution within the plant. During grain filling, biomass partitioning between plant organs was more affected by genotype than by rate of N supply. Nitrogen accumulation in the grains substantially exceeded total N uptake in the plant after flowering. Excess N accumulation in the grains was covered mainly by depletion of stem N at high N supply and by depletion of leaf N at low N supply. However, high concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates in the stem at maturity indicated that grain yield of N‐deficient plants was not limited by low source strength of N‐depleted leaves.     

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.     

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.     

MITIGATION EFFECTS OF SILICON ON TOMATO PLANTS BEARING FRUIT GROWN AT HIGH BORON LEVELS

Interactive effects of silicon (Si) and high boron (B) on growth and yield of tomato (Lycopercison esculentum cv. ‘191 F1’) plants were studied. Treatments were: 1) control (B1), normal nutrient solution including 0.5 mg L^?1 B (boron), 2) B1 +Si treatment: 0.5 mg L^?1 boron plus 2 mM Si, 3) B2 treatment: 3.5 mg L^?1 B, 4) B2 +Si treatment: 3.5 mg L^?1 B plus 2 mM Si, 5) B3 treatment: 6.5 mg L^?1 B, and 6) B3 +Si: 6.5 mg L^?1 B plus 2 mM Si. High B reduced dry matter, fruit yield and chlorophyll (Chl) in tomato plants compared to the control treatment, but increased the proline accumulation. Supplementary Si overcame the deleterious effects of high B on plant dry matter, fruit yield and chlorophyll concentrations. High B treatments increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1), peroxidase (POD; EC. 1.11.1.7) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO; EC 1.10.3.1). However, supplementary Si in the nutrient solution containing high B reduced SOD and PPO activities in leaves, but POD activity remained unchanged. These data suggest that excess B-induced oxidative stress and alterations in the antioxidant enzymes. Boron (B) concentrations increased in leaves and roots in the elevated B treatment as compared to the control treatment. Concentrations of calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) were significantly lower in the leaves of plants grown at high B than those in the control plants. Supplementing the nutrient solution containing high B with 2 mM Si increased both nutrients in the leaves. These results indicate that supplementary Si can mitigate the adverse effects of high B on fruit yield and whole plant biomass in tomato plants.