Antagonistic effect of gibberellic acid and boron on protein and carbohydrate metabolism of soybean germinating seeds

Lots of soybean seeds (Glycine max L. Merr. cv MG 13 G2) were pretreated with solutions of boron (1 or 2 μg/ml) or/and gibberellic acid (GA₃) (0.1 μg/ml) during three hours, and germinated in a culture chamber at 24°±1°C. Germination and seedling growth were inhibited by boron. GA₃ activated both processes and partially reversed the inhibitory effect of the microelement. This protective effect of GA₃ against the negative action of boron is particularly due to the antagonism GA₃ /boron on protein and carbohydrate metabolism during the seed germination process.