Question

Boron deficiency leads to a stout axis.
A. True
B. False

Answer 1

Hint:- Boron is a micronutrient that is required in very small amounts by vegetable crops and higher plants. It plays a key role in plant cell functioning, which includes development of cell walls, carbohydrate metabolism, protein synthesis, sugar transport, maintenance of biological membranes, pollen growth, and seed production.

Complete step-by-step solution:- In plants, vegetation and reproductive growth is affected due to the deficiency of Boron. It is a mobile nutrient found in the soil. The main visible symptoms of boron deficiency are exhibited at growing tips of the root or shoot and various organs. Plants show stunted development as there is death of the meristematic growing points. This leads to tip death, reduced root elongation, brittle foliage, and yellowing of lower leaf tips. There is reduced flowering and fruiting. Developing fruits become distorted or deformed. Failure of root and shoot elongation results in stout axis in crops.
So the given statement is True.

Additional information:
Among all crop plants, Brassica crops have relatively high boron requirements, and so are most susceptible to boron deficiency.

Note:- Boron deficiency is the second most widespread micronutrient deficiency found in plants after zinc. In neutral soils, Boron is easily available for uptake by plants however, in acidic or alkaline soil it is less available. Boron deficiency is mostly found to occur in sandy soils which have low organic matter and hence susceptible to leaching. It is also deficient in soils with high adsorption and retention capacity like clayey soils with high pH, and iron or aluminium oxides. Symptoms of boron deficiency become evident when boron available in the soil is less than 1 ppm, and within tissue is less than 20 ppm.