Physiological response of cauliflower in relation to manganese-boron interaction

Abstract

SummaryCauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) was grown in refined sand at low (0.0011 mg l−1), normal (0.55 mg l−1) and excess (5.5 mg l−1) Mn, each at three levels of B, deficient (0.0033 mg l−1), normal (0.33 mg H) and excess (3.3 mg l−1). In Mn deficient cauliflowers a deficiency of B accentuated visible symptoms of Mn deficiency and aggravated the Mn deficiency effects i.e. a decrease in dry matter, leaf Mn, sugars, starch, chlorophyll, Hill reaction and specific activity of aldolase and an increase in the concentrations of proline and inorganic phosphorus. In cauliflowers exhibiting B toxicity symptoms under conditions of excess B, excess Mn increased leaf Mn, sugars, nucleic acids, protein P, nucleic acid P, acid-labile P and leaf B. Excess Mn decreased the concentrations of DNA, protein nitrogen, chlorophyll and activities of peroxidase, aldolase and leaf B, leaf Mn in boron deficient cauliflowers.