• Journal of Life Science
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.786-795
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• 2002

Three-day-old sunfower(Helianthus annuus L.) seedlings were do-rooted and incubated in the nutrient solutions that contained either deficient or sufficient boron supply, and exposure to various pH and temperatures. In the absence of boron, no adventitious roots were formed in the majority of the seedlings. Boron caused the development of numerous adventitious roots in the lower part of the hypocotyl. The low pH damage was ameliorated by the simultaneous application of calcium, implying the involvement of calcium-requiring process in overcoming proton toxicity. Borate showed a strong ameliorative effect with $Ca^{2+}$. These results suggest that the primary target of proton toxicity may be linked to a disturbance of the stability in the pectic polysaccharide network, where calcium plays a key role in plant roots. Maximum temperature for the growth of adventitious roots was $25^{\circ}C$. Although cessation of growth is the most apparent symptom of boron deficiency, exogenous ascorbate improved adventitious root growth in plants in the absence of boron. From the results it is suggested that the inhibition of adventitious root resulting from boron deficiency, low pH and temperature damage may be a consequence of disrupted ascorbate metabolism.