Boron deficiency increases putrescine levels in tobacco plants

J Plant Physiol. 2005 Aug;162(8):921-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jplph.2004.09.016.

Abstract

Polyamine concentrations were determined in leaves and roots of tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L.) subjected to a short-term boron deficiency. A decrease in the growth of shoots and, especially, roots was found under this mineral deficiency. Boron deficiency did not lead to a significant decrease in leaf or root ion concentrations when compared to control treatment; however, as expected, leaf boron concentration was lower in boron-deficient plants in comparison to the control. In leaves, the levels of free putrescine and spermidine were similar in both treatments. In roots, a short-term boron deficiency caused an increase in free putrescine. Moreover, boron-deficient plants had higher conjugated polyamine concentration than boron-sufficient plants, which was especially evident for conjugated putrescine in leaves. A possible link between boron and polyamine levels is proposed and discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Boron / deficiency
  • Boron / physiology*
  • Nicotiana / growth & development
  • Nicotiana / metabolism
  • Nicotiana / physiology*
  • Plant Leaves / growth & development
  • Plant Roots / growth & development
  • Plant Shoots / growth & development
  • Putrescine / metabolism*
  • Spermidine / metabolism
  • Spermine / metabolism
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Spermine
  • Boron
  • Spermidine
  • Putrescine