Botany Department, Lucknow University, Lucknow
Sugarbeet var. Ramonskaya plants raised in boron deficient medium (0.0165 ppm boron) in sand culture developed visible symptoms of boron deficiency-brown necrotic patches on the lamina of the young leaves, and necrosis of the apical bud, the latter leading to cessation of apical growth. The boron deficient plants also showed an increase in the activity of peroxidase and ribonuclease. Foliar application of GA and IAA ameliorated growth retardation due to boron deficiency and increased the activities of peroxidase and ribonuclease. Compared to boron deficient plants, increase in ribonuclease was more marked in boron sufficient plants. In boron sufficient plants, application of GA caused a significant decrease in acid phosphatase activity.
