Effects of high boron concentration on boron uptake and growth of pistachio seedlings

摘要

Boron (B) is one of the important plant micronutrient elements and plays a significant role in physiological and biochemical processes. The poor drainage of saline soils maybe responsible for the excessive accumulation of B in the soil solution. Toxicity symptoms often occur because of additions of B via irrigation water and lack of drainage. The present study, as a pot experiment with pistachio plants was conducted to study the effect of increasing boron application on nutritional status and shoot growth under greenhouse conditions. Seven treatments consisted of B levels (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg soil as H_3BO_3) Treatments were arranged in a factorial manner in a completely randomized design with three replications. Results of this studyclearly show that relatively high B content might reduce the adverse effects of B and consequently improve plant growth. It is suggested that this finding be verified under field conditions. Moreover, in future studies of boron stress should have attentions to soil pH, separation of young and old leaves, modeling of B adsorption by sorts of local soils and role of B in operative enzymes of oxin metabolism.