The effect of boron on calcium uptake and growth in micropropagated potato plantlets

Abstract

SummaryBoron (B) requirements differ widely among plant species and the concentration range between toxicity and deficiency is less for B than for any other nutrient. Excess B can adversely affect calcium (Ca) uptake and plant growth. Potato cvs Bintje and Norland plantlets were micropropagated on Murashige & Skoog (MS) nutrient medium, supplemented with 3 (MS control level) or 9 mM Ca, and a range of HsBO3 levels (0.025 to 0.300 mM B). Medium B levels of 0.100 and 0.300 mM decreased Ca cotitentin leaves and shoots of cv. Norlafid, but not Bintje. Medium B level of 0.025 mM, which is 25 % of the control MS level, enhanced Ca uptake in cv. Norland and did not compromise normal plantlet growth in either cultivar. This lower H~B03 level (0.025 mM B), and a B-free gelling agent such as Gelrite, could be used for mlcropropagation of potato and possibly other species susceptible to Ca deficiency disorders.

Factors contributing to in vitro shoot-tip necrosis and their physiological interactions

“…Excess B (0.1, 0.3 mM) could adversely affect Ca uptake in micropropagated potatoes. Media with high B levels decreased the Ca content in shoots and leaves but media with 0.025 mM B content, four times less than the control MS medium (0.1 mM), enhanced calcium uptake (Abdulnour et al 2000). Increasing the concentration of either B or Ca in the medium reduced the incidence of STN in Harpagophytum procumbens cultures, while increasing the concentration of both B and Ca simultaneously aggravated the problem and caused growth retardation ).…”

“…It is therefore important to optimize the level of B and Ca in the culture medium for individual species while addressing the problem of STN. It should also be noted that the balance between these two nutrients can easily be upset by impurities introduced by other medium components and additives (Abdulnour et al 2000).…”

“…It is a constituent of cell walls and is involved in enzyme activation, membrane maintenance, nucleic acid metabolism and sugar translocation (Apostol and Zwiazek 2004). Boron requirements differ widely among plant species and are known to have a narrow range between deficiency and toxicity levels when compared to other mineral nutrients (Abdulnour et al 2000). In addition, what is optimum for one species could be toxic for another (Barghchi and Alderson 1996).…”

Effect of Boron and Calcium on Growth and Quality of ‘Easy Lover’ Cut Rose

“…Boron is an essential element for plant growth (Bolanos et al, 2004). Boron requirements differ widely among plant species and the concentration range between toxicity and deficiency is less for B than for any other nutrient (Abdulnour et al, 2000). Boron availability to plants decreases with increasing soil pH and/or under drought conditions (Marschner, 1995).…”

Boron and Plants

“…It is considered to be involved in the metabolism of nucleic acids, carbohydrates and proteins, indole acetic acid, phenol, cell wall synthesis and structure, membrane integrity and function; however, molecular basis of these roles is mostly unknown (Marschner 1995;Goldbach et al 2001). It is an essential micronutrient for higher plants, with interspecies differences in the levels required for optimum growth and plays an important role in some plant functions such as metabolic pathways, uptake of Ca 2+ , sugar translocation, pollen germination, hormone action, root development, flower and fruit formation, normal growth and functioning of the apical meristem, water translocation from roots to the upper portions of the plant body and membrane structure and function (Abdulnour et al 2000;Liu et al 2000;Lou et al 2001). Nobel (1981) studied the effect of several boron compounds on photosynthesis in submerged macrophytes, watermilfoil (Myriophyllum alterniflorum), buttercup (Ranunculus penicillatus) and waterweed (Elodea canadensis).…”