Boron Deficiency (plant Disorder)

Boron Deficiency (plant Disorder)

Boron (B) deficiency is the most widespread micronutrient deficiency around the world and causes large losses in crop production both quantitatively and qualitatively. Boron deficiency affects vegetative and reproductive growth of plants resulting in inhibition of cell expansion, death of meristem and reduced fertility.

Plants contain B both in a water-soluble and insoluble form. In intact plants, the amount of water-soluble B fluctuates with the quantity of B supplied, while insoluble B does not. The appearance of B deficiency symptoms coincides with the decrease of water-insoluble B, from which it is concluded that the insoluble B is the functional form while the soluble B represents the surplus.

Boron is essential for the growth of higher plants. The primary function of the element is to provide structural integrity to the cell wall in plants. Other functions likely include the maintenance of the plasma membrane and other metabolic pathways.