Effect of Boron on Germination of Flax Seed and on Respiration of Flax Seedlings. Contributions from the Hull Botanical Laboratory 628

Abstract

1. Flax seed was germinated in various concentrations of H3BO3, NaBO2, or Na2B4O7. The rate of germination was high in comparison with the control in water in those seeds placed in concentrations of 10-8 M and 10-6 M. Above these concentrations the rate was lower; below these there was no difference in rate when compared with the controls. 2. Flax seed was also germinated in various concentrations of MnSO4 and ZnSO4. The rate of germination was higher in comparison with the control in those seeds placed in concentrations of 10-6 M and above and was directly correlated in rate with the higher concentrations. 3. The respiration of flax seeds germinating in the boron solutions was measured. There was a constant depression of respiration at 10-10 M, 10-8 M, and 10-6 M, no depression at 10-4 M, and an increasingly greater depression of respiration at 10-2 M, in comparison with the control. 4. A hypothesis is presented in which the effect of boron on the respiration of the germinating flax seed is explained as a function of the H2BO3 - ion, while the effect on germination is explained as a function of the total boron present. The lowered respiration at 10-2 M is the only case in which respiration seems affected by total boron-in this case the action is toxic.