Boron and calcium distribution in B and Ca deficient pea plants

The aim of this work is to study B and Ca distribution in pea (Pisum sativum)plants, and the effect of the deficiencies of both elements on this distribution. Pea plants were grown in a complete aerated nutrient solution (9 μM B and 2.0 mM Ca) for two weeks. Then, the youngest part of the plant was tagged, and four treatments were applied for two more weeks: control (complete), -B (without B), 1/5 Ca (with 0.4 mM Ca) and -B+2Ca (without boron and with 4.0 mM Ca). B concentration decreased significantly in the young shoot of both B-deficient treatments, while no effect was observed in roots. Calcium concentration in root, and to a lesser extent in young shoot, decreased for the 1/5 Ca treatment and increased for the -B+2Ca. Shoots were more sensitive to B nutrition and roots more sensitive to Ca supply. Boron distribution in -B plants suggests a degree of B remobilization from old to young shoots.