There exist a disproportion between vegetative and generative part of plant body, because generative parts are more sensitive to deficit of boron than not-generative parts. Amount boron in nutrition is in a positive correlation with number of generated flowers, fruits and seeds.
Above all, some difference were found among various plant species. I.g. species from Fabaceae family are more sensitive than Poaceae family. Boron is necessary for legumes.
In the agriculture, local boron immobility may be satisfy by spraying in the start of maturation of plants.
Boron plays an important role in the flowering process and seed formation. Boron is important in the migration and metabolism carbohydrate, facilitating the transport of sugars through membranes. Boron is also involved in the formation of cell walls, in pollen germination, in cell division, in flowering and fruiting.
Its deficiency leads to floral failure (affects the microsporogenesis, the germination and development of the pollen tube), and malformation of seeds, which, in a short time can result in a decrease in seed production.
There exist a disproportion between vegetative and generative part of plant body, because generative parts are more sensitive to deficit of boron than not-generative parts. Amount boron in nutrition is in a positive correlation with number of generated flowers, fruits and seeds.
Above all, some difference were found among various plant species. I.g. species from Fabaceae family are more sensitive than Poaceae family. Boron is necessary for legumes.
In the agriculture, local boron immobility may be satisfy by spraying in the start of maturation of plants.
Stigma receptivity and pollination are considered to be the processes most affected by B deficiency. Applications of B to clover make flowers more attractive to pollinating insects by increasing nectar production and sugar content, thus improving flower fertilization (Eriksson, 1979). B concentration in plant tissue increased seed production more than did the presence of bees (Ben-Taamallah, 1987). The total number of flowers produced by plants may also be increased by B fertilization. A foliar B application during early anthesis on alfalfa grown for seed increased seed yield 37% by increasing the number of pods produced. In addition, B applications significantly increased seed germination and seed vigor (Dordas, 2006).
http://cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/system/files/u1473/anderson_boron.pdf
Nice question Sukhvir. Our colleagues have ably replied your question . there is no doubt , whether annual or perennial crop , role of boron is always seen in improving the pollination and fruit set , due to simple reason , formation of sugar-borate complex , a facilitator for better fruit set and onward yield. I am enclosing one review exclusively on boron nutrition in citrus.
Professional have said it all. In summary, Boron is very important in flowering, hence, seed formation. This, of course, is dependent on plant spp. Cotton, for example, is very susceptible to Boron deficiency and manifest its symptoms frequently.
Hard fruit disease is very common in citrus , Likewise , boron nutrition is very important for compact curd development of cauliflower ( Club root development and whip tail due to B-deficiency ). optimum boron nutrition reduces cracking pomrgranate and tomato , while potato is very boron sapping crop .
Dear Folks,
The role of Boron in seed production is critical. Under deficiency the sterility of the plant is first a result of its effect on reducing pollen production. The crucifer of cabbage family seem to the common bioindicator with hollow heart being a prime symptom. Boron and Calcium work together and the blasting of terminal cell regions is a common symptom. Classic aboveground symptoms are witch brooming from necrosis of the terminal tip growth and fertility is diminished. The action is on cell walls and membranes and the Boron deficient cells are notably leaky.
I am including a manuscript on Boron for your reference. Medically Boron deficiency can lead to cognitive and bone malfunctions which are epidemic globally. It would prudent for us to be aware of Boron levels and have these optimized. The use of foliar and soil analysis is a good tool in this challenge as well as the awareness of diet and rations. The cabbage family are notable sources for Boron in animal and human nutrition.
They call it Boron but we find it fascinating not Boring at all.
Have a good day.
Thanku Dr Anoop Kumar ji . You give me valuable knowledge and experience.
Boron has no defined role but it is said to play a role in carbon metabolism and transport of sugars Perhaps it could be connected with acid invertase in some way or the other which is major enzyme to regulate the symplastic and apoplastic transport.
Let me add some more inputs on the issue.The B requirement is much higher for reproductive growth than for vegetative growth in most plant species. Boron increases flower production and retention, pollen tube elongation and germination, and seed and fruit development( PDF enclosed ). A deficiency of B can cause incomplete pollination of corn or prevent maximum pod-set in soybeans, for example.The most important physiological effects of B in plants now are thought to be a structural role for B in cell walls; a role for B in membrane function; and, a stimulation or inhibition of specific metabolic pathways(PDF enclosed ).
Rates of boron fertilization should be based on soil tests and/or plant analyses, previous experience, yield and quality goals, timing and application methods. Standard ranges of boron fertilization are normally suggested to meet specific fruit crop needs under average local conditions. Studies by Huang and Snapp 92009,ccommun. Soil Sci. Pl.Anal. 40:1937-1952) showed fruit quality of tomato on Hapludalf was influenced by nutrition, as the greatest rate of K was associated with increased crack susceptibility as indicated by a fruit bioassay and a 14% increase in incidence of the defect ‘‘shoulder check’’ in field-grown fruit compared to less rates of K nutrition. Boron foliar spray increased tomato marketable yield and fruit quality, reducing shoulder check incidence by 50% compared to zero-Btreated plants(PDF enclosed ).
Please have a look at this researchgate link.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263418991_Zinc_and_Boron_Affect_Yield_and_Quality_of_Onion_Allium_cepa_L_Seed
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242093568_Foliar_Boron_Application_Improves_Seed_Set_Seed_Yield_and_Seed_Quality_of_Alfalfa
Article Zinc and Boron Affect Yield and Quality of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Seed
Article Foliar Boron Application Improves Seed Set, Seed Yield, and ...
Nice discussion...
There is an increasing evidence that illustrates the equally significant role that B plays in flower fertilization and increased seed yield in leguminous crops. Stigma receptivity and pollination are considered to be the processes most affected by B deficiency. Applications of B to clover have been reported to make flowers more attractive to pollinating insects by increasing nectar production and sugar content, thus improving flower fertilization . Subterranean clover research has indicated B concentration in plant tissue increased seed production more than did the presence of bees .The total number of flowers produced by plants may also be increased by B fertilization. A foliar B application during early anthesis on alfalfa grown for seed increased seed yield 37% by increasing the number of pods produced. In addition, B applications significantly
increased seed germination and seed vigor . PDF enclosed for further reading...
For those in tropical environments boron deficiency will be found when fruit shows a bumpy nature. The Papaya is a good indicator plant. Boron is also critical for the defesive metabolism of this plant is used as factor in the latex production. For temperate areas the pear and apples will also display the bumpy fruit symptom. Look to get your soil Boron level between 1 to 2 ppm to avoid symptoms. Foliar levels should be over 20 ppm. Boron metabolism seems to be connected to calcium and expresses itself in the pectate bridges.
A good way to help manage boron deficiency is the mentioned foliar treatments during the pre and early flowering stages. Solubor is a commercial product used in North America.
Dear Sukhvir Kaur, Please find some information pointing to the mechanisms of boron at a cellular level and how boron reacts in animals humans and plants on cell permeability. Low boron is associated with significant issues in bones one of biggest health cost globally.
Have a look SukhV..Best.
http://www.borax.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/boroninfloweringandfruitnutandseedformation-final-feb2012.pdf
The relation of boron to vegetative growth and seed production of Trifolium pratense L. and Vicia faba L. has been studied using sand and water culture techniques. It was found that the addition of a very small quantity of boron was sufficient to restore deficient plants to normal growth and it would appear that boron fertilizers will only be beneficial where deficiency symptoms have been shown.
The rapid cessation of cell division under conditions of boron deficiency was demonstrated and was responsible for a decrease in both vegetative and seed yields through reduced branching and flower differentiation. No special association of boron with the functioning of pollen or with chromosome behaviour was found. The cessation of cell division is responsible for the abnormalities associated with boron deficiency but the cellular reactions involved remain unknown.
Previous suggestions of the role of boron in plant metabolism are discussed in the light of the conclusion that boron is essential for the maintenance of meristems.
Methyl Red (MR) test determines whether the microbe performs mixed acids fermentation when supplied glucose. Types and proportion of fermentation products produced by anaerobic fermentation of glucose is one of the key taxonomic characteristics which help to differentiate various genera of enteric bacteria.
Fig: Methyl Red (MR) Test Reaction
Mixed acid fermentation is one of the two broad patterns, 2-3-butanediol fermentation being another. In mixed acid fermentation, three acids (acetic, lactic and succinic) are formed in significant amounts. The mixed acid pathway gives 4 mol of acidic products (mainly lactic and acetic acid), 1 mol of neutral fermentation product (ethanol), 1 mol of CO2, and 1 mol of H2 per mol of glucose fermented.
These large amounts of acid results significant decrease in the pH of the medium below 4.4. This is visualized by using pH indicator, methyl red (p-dimethylaminoaeobenzene-O-carboxylic acid), which is yellow above pH 5.1 and red at pH 4.4.
The pH at which methyl red detects acid is considerably lower than the pH for other indicators used in bacteriologic culture media. Thus, to produce a color change, the test organism must produce large quantities of acid from carbohydrate substrate being used.
MR Positive: When the culture medium turns red after addition of methyl red, because of a pH at or below 4.4 from the fermentation of glucose.
MR Negative: When the culture medium remains yellow, which occurs when less acid is produced (pH is higher) from the fermentation of glucose.
Quality Control
Positive and negative controls should be run after preparation of each lot of medium and after making each batch of reagent. Suggested controls include the followings:
Positive control: Escherichia coli
Negative control: Enterobacter aerogenes
Procedure for Methyl Red (MR) Test
MR-VP broth is used for both MR Test and VP test. Only the addition of reagent differs, and both tests are carried out consecutively.
Inoculate two tubes containing MR-VP Broth with a pure culture of the microorganisms under investigation.
Incubate at 35 °C for up to 4 days.
Add about 5 drops of the methyl red indicator solution to the first tube (for Voges-Proskauer test, Barrit’s reagent is added to another tube).
A positive reaction is indicated, if the colour of the medium changes to red within a few minutes.
Methy Red Test
Left: Negative
Right: Positive
Expected results:
The development of a stable red color in the surface of the medium indicates sufficient acid production to lower the pH to 4.4 and constitutes a positive test. Because other organisms may produce smaller quantities of acid from the test substrate, an intermediate orange color between yellow and red may develop. This does not indicate a positive test.
Escherichia coli: MR test positive- appearance of red color after the addition of methyl red reagent.
Enterobacter aerogenes: MR test Negative- the lack of color change after the addition of methyl red.
The relation of boron to vegetative growth and seed production of Trifolium pratense L. and Vicia faba L. has been studied using sand and water culture techniques. It was found that the addition of a very small quantity of boron was sufficient to restore deficient plants to normal growth and it would appear that boron fertilizers will only be beneficial where deficiency symptoms have been shown. The rapid cessation of cell division under conditions of boron deficiency was demonstrated and was responsible for a decrease in both vegetative and seed yields through reduced branching and flower differentiation. The cessation of cell division is responsible for the abnormalities associated with boron deficiency . that boron is essential for the maintenance of meristems.
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/b51-048#.WM08oUi6zIU
See some crop specific info..
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/b51-048#.WNCoqYGGPIU
Some interesting literature on the issue for further reading....
Please see the attached link mentions by Dr. Surender
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/b51-048#.WNCoqYGGPIU
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