Studies on the Boron Metabolism of Orchid -Influences on the Cell Wall Structure and its Components-

양란의 붕소 대사에 관한 연구 -특히 세포벽 형성 및 분획 조성에 미치는 영향-

The present investigation has been made to study the deficiency symptoms of boron on the formation of cell wall and the development of the individual components of the orchid cell wall. Analytical samples were taken from two sources; one from the individual orchid plants started from an apical meristem culture followed by the generation of the protocorm-like body which was developed into a plant, the other from the plant cultivated in water for 30 days. The amount of boron in the cultrues were controlled and the deficiency symptoms were observed under theelectron microscope, optical microscope with samples taken from the zones of elongation of leaves and compared the dry weight of cell walls and finally the various fractions of the cell wall components. The following results were obtained: (1) The growth of roots and leaves was hampered in the boron deficient plants. (2) In the boron-deficient leaves a severe necrosis and cracks were developed in the tissue of zone of elongation besides the decrease in growth. (3) under the electorn microscope the cell walls of boron-deficient plants showed rough undulated structures unlike the smooth control cell walls. (4) the dry weight of total cells and cell walls of boron deficient plants were higher than the control plants. (5) In the boron deficient plant the amout of pectin and hemicellulose isolated from cell walls were higher and the amount of protein was lower than the controlled plots.