Plant Physiol. Illumina
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Plant Physiology 83:254-258 (1987)
© 1987 American Society of Plant Biologists

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Metabolism and Enzymology

Metabolic Requirement of Cucurbita pepo for Boron 1

Roger W. Krueger2,3, Carol J. Lovatt and Luke S. Albert

Department of Botany, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California 92521

Lateral roots of intact summer squash seedlings (Cucurbita pepo L.) were used to quantify the effects of boron deficiency on DNA synthesis, protein synthesis, and respiration. The temporal relationship between changes in these metabolic activities and the cessation of root elongation caused by boron deprivation was determined. Transferring 5-day-old squash seedlings to a hydroponic culture medium without boron for 6 hours resulted in a 62% reduction in net root elongation and a 30% decrease in the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA by root tips (apical 5-millimeter segments). At this time, root tips from both boron-deficient and boron-sufficient plants exhibited nearly identical rates of incorporation of [14C]leucine into protein and respiration as measured by O2 consumption. After an additional 6 hours of boron deprivation, root elongation had nearly ceased. Concomitantly, DNA synthesis in root apices was 66% less than in the boron-sufficient control plants and protein synthesis was reduced 43%. O2 consumption remained the same for both treatments. The decline and eventual cessation of root elongation correlated temporally with the decrease in DNA synthesis, but preceded changes in protein synthesis and respiration. These results suggest that boron is required for continued DNA synthesis and cell division in root meristems.

2 The work presented here was submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Master of Science degree in Botany at the University of Rhode Island.

3 Present address: Pfizer Incorporated, Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340.

1 Research supported by National Science Foundation grant PCM76-20594.






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ASPB Publications PLANT PHYSIOLOGY® THE PLANT CELL
Copyright © 1987 by the American Society of Plant Biologists