Effect of boron and low temperature on membrane integrity of cucumber leaves

Abstract

Abstract An experiment with solution culture was conducted to study the effect of boron (B) deficiency on cold resistance of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Zhongnong No. 1101) seedlings. The results showed that B deficiency inhibited the growth of the seedlings. The leakage of potassium (K) across plasma membrane of leaf cells was increased and the cell inner structure was damaged by B deficiency. The content of carbohydrates in primary leaves was increased especially at low temperature than at normal temperature. The results demonstrated that B plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of plasma membranes of leaf cells and in alleviating the damage of membrane caused by low temperature.