Abstract:

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of high boron stress on the growth and the contents of chlorophyll, soluble sugar, starch and element in leaves and roots of Bromeliaceae. The four boron treatments were designed with boron 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mg/L, respectively, with three replicates each treatment. The results showed that after supplying boron fertilizer, the growth of shoots and roots was inhibited. The inhibitory extent of growth was increased as the boron concentration increasing. As compared with no boron treatment, supplying boron fertilizer caused leaf apex in the mid-lower part brown and dried. Boron could reduce the contents of chlorophyll, soluble sugar and starch. Supplying boron resulted in an increase in the content of nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, manganese, zinc in roots, together with a decrease in the content of these elements in leaves. Boron also decreased the content of copper in leaves and roots. These results suggest that Bromeliaceae is very sensitive to excessive boron. Excessive boron in substrate and irrigation water would hamper the growth of Bromeliaceae.