The physiological role of boron in plants

Abstract

Abstract Research on the role of boron in plant metabolism is reviewed and evaluated. Absence of the element is shown to affect nucleic acid and carbohydrate metabolism, and the relationship between boron, auxin and phenolic compounds is discussed. It is concluded that the presence of boron is essential to maintain the structural integrity of plant membranes, and that many symptoms of boron deficiency in plants are secondary effects caused by changes in membrane permeability. Key words: Boronnucleic acidsauxinphenolicsmembranes