Substitution of Germanium for Boron in Plant Growth

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Abstract
The addition of germanium dioxide (soluble form) to the nutrient solution can delay for a short time the appearance of B deficiency symptoms on the snoots of snflower plants (Helianthus annuus L.). This appeared to be true, only under growing conditions in which the plants had a low B requirement. The delay in the appearance of B deficiency symptoms by administering Ge was demonstrated in sunflower plants ranging in age from 7 to 20 days. This effect was noted whether the Ge was administered prior to or at the time plants were transferred to minus-boron nutrient solution. Ge does not truly substitute for B in metabolic processes of the plant but rather functions through increasing the mobility of soluble B within the plant and in binding nonmetabolic polyhydroxyl sites thus serving in a sparing role for the limited quantity of soluble B in the growth centers.

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