Insights into physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying efficient utilization of boron in different boron efficient Beta vulgaris L. varieties

Xiangling Wang; Baiquan Song; Zhenzhen Wu; Xiaoyu Zhao; Xin Song; Muhammad Faheem Adil; Muhammad Riaz; Milan Kumar Lal; Wengong Huang

doi:10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.02.049

Insights into physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying efficient utilization of boron in different boron efficient Beta vulgaris L. varieties

Plant Physiol Biochem. 2023 Apr:197:107619. doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.02.049. Epub 2023 Mar 8.

Authors

Xiangling Wang¹, Baiquan Song², Zhenzhen Wu¹, Xiaoyu Zhao¹, Xin Song¹, Muhammad Faheem Adil³, Muhammad Riaz⁴, Milan Kumar Lal⁵, Wengong Huang⁶

Affiliations

¹ Sugar Beet Engineering Research Center of Heilongjiang Province, College of Advanced Agriculture and Ecological Environment, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, 150080, China.
² Sugar Beet Engineering Research Center of Heilongjiang Province, College of Advanced Agriculture and Ecological Environment, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, 150080, China. Electronic address: 13212929229@163.com.
³ Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resources, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
⁴ College of Resources and Environment, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China.
⁵ ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India.
⁶ Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Safety and Quality Institute of Agricultural Products, Harbin, 150086, China.

PMID: 36931121
DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.02.049

Abstract

Boron (B) deficiency and consequent limitation of plant yield and quality, particularly of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) has emerged as a maior problem,which is exacerbating due to cultivar dependent variability in B deficiency tolerance. Pertinently, the current study was designed to elucidate the physiological and molecular mechanisms of B deficiency tolerance of sugar beet varieties KWS1197 (B-efficient variety) and KWS0143 (B-inefficient variety). A hydroponic experiment was conducted employing two B levels B0.1 (0.1 μM L^-1 H₃BO₃, deficiency) and B50 (50 μM L^-1 H₃BO₃, adequacy). Boron deficiency greatly inhibited root elongation and dry matter accumulation; however, formation of lateral roots stimulated and average root diameter was increased. Results exhibited that by up-regulating the expression of NIP5-1, NIP6-1, and BOR2, and suppressing the expression of BOR4, cultivar KWS1197, in contrast to KWS0143, managed to transfer sufficient amount of B to the aboveground plant parts, facilitating its effective absorption and utilization. Accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also mellowed in KWS1197, as well as the oxidative damage to root cells via preservation of the antioxidant enzyme system. Additionally, the expression of essential enzymes for biosynthesis of phytohormone (PYR/PYL) and lignin (COMT, POX, and CCoAOMT) were found to be highly up-regulated in KWS1197. Deductively, through effective B absorption and transportation, balanced nutrient accumulation, and an activated antioxidant enzyme system, B-efficient cultivars may cope with B deficiency while retaining a superior cellular structure to enable root development.

Keywords: Antioxidant enzyme; Boron deficiency; Lignin; Root morphology; Sugar beet.

MeSH terms

Antioxidants* / metabolism
Beta vulgaris* / metabolism
Boron / metabolism
Oxidative Stress
Plant Roots / metabolism
Sugars / metabolism

Substances

Antioxidants
Boron
Sugars