Early Effects of Boron Deficiency on Indoleacetic Acid Oxidase Levels of Squash Root Tips

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Abstract
The indoleacetic acid (IAA) oxidase activity of root tips of boron-sufficient, -deficient, recovering, and IAA-treated boron-sufficient squash plants (Cucurbita pepo L.) was determined. Apical and subapical root sections displayed an increase in IAA oxidase activity between 6 and 9 hours after boron was withheld, and after 24 hours the activity of the apical sections showed a 20-fold increase over +B controls. Root elongation of -B plants was inhibited before an increase in oxidase activity could be detected. Roots of plants subjected to 12 hours of -B treatment and then transferred to +B treatment for recovery regained normal elongation rates and oxidase activity within 18 to 20 hours. IAA treatment of +B plants increased IAA oxidase activity of apical and subapical root sections and also inhibited root elongation and caused symptoms similar to -B treatments.