The effects of short-term deficiency of boron on potassium, calcium, and magnesium distribution in leaves and roots of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants

Boron deficiency frequently affects long distance transport of nutrients in plants. In this investigation K, Ca and Mg distributions in shoots and roots of tomato plants under conditions of short-time B deficiency were studied. Plants were grown in water cultures with variation in B supply: 0.0 (−B) and 0.5 (+B)mgL−1. Soluble and insoluble fractions of nutrients were obtained from leaves and roots sampled after 1, 2, 7 and 10 days of B treatments. Ca concentrations were found to be most affected by absence of B. The insoluble Ca fraction in roots increased by 188% over the control after 2 days without B. Simultaneously, the soluble Ca fraction in −B folioles was only 84% of that in control treatment. Similar trends were observed in both organs throughout the experimental period. K and Mg appeared to be only slightly affected by short-time B deficiency. The results suggest a specific effect of B on Ca translocation and on its incorporation into insoluble forms, i.e. as cell wall components in tomato plants.