Boron for the plant: reproduction
Boron (B)
For the plant – reproduction (formation of generative organs, fertilization, fruit formation).
In the plant organism boron – one of the most important microelements, especially for dicotyledonous plants.
Boron plays an important role in plants in the formation of generative organs and fertilization of flowers. Under conditions of sufficient boron supply, the percentage of fruit setting increases. Boron accelerates pollen germination on the stigma during fertilization, stimulates fruit development.
Boron is also necessary for meristem development, plays an important role in cell division and protein synthesis, and is an essential component of the cell wall, being part of phosphogluconates.
Boron is also necessary for meristem development, plays an important role in cell division and protein synthesis, and is an essential component of the cell wall, being part of phosphogluconates.
With the participation of boron compounds, the metabolism and transport of carbohydrates, especially sucrose, growth substances, and ascorbic acid from leaves to fruits are carried out; synthesis of nucleic acids; utilization of phosphates; formation of polyphenols (especially – flavonoids).
Boron increases resistance to bacterial and fungal diseases, preservation of tubers and bulbs during the winter period, yield of sugar beets, flax, cotton, vegetable and fruit-berry crops. Along with the yield of cultivated plants, 10 g of boron is annually depleted from 1 hectare of soil. Root crops and forage grasses absorb it particularly actively.
The boron content in plants is 0.001% (by weight).
Characteristic signs of boron deficiency include disruption of the anatomical structure of plants, for example, weak development of xylem, fragmentation of phloem, fundamental parenchyma, and degeneration of cambium, weak development of the root system. In addition, signs of boron deficiency include yellowing, deformation, and necrosis of leaves, especially at the tips of shoots, reddening of leaf veins, dropping of ovaries, and premature leaf drop. Reproductive organs of plants suffer particularly severely from boron deficiency: in this case, the affected plant may not form flowers at all or form very few, with the presence of empty flowers and dropping of ovaries.
The first signs of boron deficiency manifest in the apical part of shoots and on young leaves: diseases and death of growth points are observed.
Furthermore, under conditions of boron deficiency, carbohydrate metabolism deteriorates. As a result, disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism are observed – a kind of “diabetes” in plants, leading to the accumulation of sugars in leaves, which provokes more attention from pests.
The first signs of boron deficiency manifest in the apical part of shoots and on young leaves: diseases and death of growth points are observed.
Furthermore, under conditions of boron deficiency, carbohydrate metabolism deteriorates. As a result, disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism are observed – a kind of “diabetes” in plants, leading to the accumulation of sugars in leaves, which provokes more attention from pests.
In case of boron excess in plants, stunting is observed.
Indicator plants respond differently to the amount of boron in the soil: with high boron content, species of saltwort Salsola L. (Amaranthaceae) form giant plants, while in field wormwood Artemisia campestris L. (Asteraceae) and European glasswort Salicornia europaea L. (Amaranthaceae) – dwarf plants, in two-seeded alyssum Alyssum biovulatum N. Busch (Brassicaceae) stems thicken and deform, and in fragrant wormwood Artemisia fragrans Willd. (Asteraceae) spherical swellings appear on young shoots.
The plant–hyperconcentrator of boron – golden astragalus Astragalus aureus Willd., Fabaceae (herb, boron oxide content – 0.386%).
Medicinal plants containing boron:
• fragrant wormwood Artemisia fragrans Willd., Asteraceae (herb);
• ericoid saltwort Salsola ericoides M. Bieb., Amaranthaceae (herb);
• woolly-flowered astragalus Astragalus dasyanthus Pall., Fabaceae (herb).
• fragrant wormwood Artemisia fragrans Willd., Asteraceae (herb);
• ericoid saltwort Salsola ericoides M. Bieb., Amaranthaceae (herb);
• woolly-flowered astragalus Astragalus dasyanthus Pall., Fabaceae (herb).