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Prevention of aluminium toxicity with supplemental boron. I. Maintenance of root elongation and cellular structure
Author(s) -
LENOBLE M. E.,
BLEVINS D. G.,
SHARP R. E.,
CUMBIE B. G.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3040.1996.tb00428.x
Subject(s) - toxicity , shoot , elongation , cucurbita pepo , growth inhibition , nutrient , horticulture , biology , limiting , squash , chemistry , cell growth , botany , biochemistry , materials science , metallurgy , ecology , organic chemistry , mechanical engineering , engineering , ultimate tensile strength
Aluminium toxicity is an important factor limiting plant growth mi acid soils. Symptoms of B deficiency and Al toxicity are very similar and generally associated with impaired membrane Function and root growth . Thus the objective of this study was to determine whether supplemental B prevents Al inhibition of root growth and development. Squash ( Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Sunbar) was grown in hydroponic nutrient media with 44 mmol m −3 free Al and B concentrations extending from 5 to 100 mmol m −3 . Our results establish that B protects against Al inhibition of root growth. Protection was apparent at all levels of organization examined: primary root and lateral root lengths; primary root cell elongation, cell production rate, tissue organization and cell structure; primary root morphology and maturation. Protection against Al inhibition was also apparent for shoot growth. These studies were undertaken in solution culture to limit the variables examined; however, the underlying motivation for this study is the problem of worldwide Al toxicity in soils. Therefore, the effect of adding additional B to a high‐Al soil was also investigated and is the subject of the companion paper (Le Noble. Blevins & Miles 1996, Plant, Cell and Environment 19, 1143–1148).