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Boron deficiency (plant disorder)
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<p>Boron deficiency is a common deficiency of the <a href="/facts/Micronutrient/nwzKuSMQ">micronutrient</a> <a href="/facts/Boron/Pmwgd7Mf">boron</a> in plants. It is the most widespread micronutrient deficiency around the world and causes large losses in crop production and crop quality. Boron deficiency affects vegetative and reproductive growth of plants, resulting in inhibition of cell expansion, death of <a href="/facts/Meristem/YlMKp2W5">meristem</a>, and reduced fertility. </p><p>Plants contain boron both in a water-soluble and insoluble form. In intact plants, the amount of water-soluble boron fluctuates with the amount of boron supplied, while insoluble boron does not. The appearance of boron deficiency coincides with the decrease of water-insoluble boron. It appears that the insoluble boron is the functional form while the soluble boron represents the surplus. </p><p>Boron is essential for the growth of higher plants. The primary function of the element is to provide structural integrity to the cell wall in plants. Other functions likely include the maintenance of the plasma membrane and other metabolic pathways. </p>