Distribution within the plant or compartmentation does not contribute substantially to the detoxification of excess boron in sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Distribution and compartmentation of boron as possible mechanisms for the notable tolerance of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) to excess B supply have been studied. Following a short- term treatment (6 h) with 1000 µМ B, the distribution of B between different shoot organs was preferentially directed to the readily transpiring ones. Thus, B distribution in sunflower plants seems to be mainly influenced by transpiration and does not act as a B tolerance mechanism in sunflower. As a second possible mechanism for B tolerance, the compartmentation of B between water insoluble residue (i.e. cell wall) and cell sap (i.e. symplasm) was determined. Additional binding of B in the cell wall in response to excess B supply for 6 h was very low in leaves and negligible in roots. Thus, a substantial contribution of the cell wall in detoxification of excess B can be ruled out. In an additional experiment with a B supply of 1 µМ (marginal) to 1000 µМ (moderately toxic), the compartmentation of B between the apoplasmic fluid and the cell sap was investigated. The B concentration in the apoplasmic fluid was always lower than that in the symplasm. Thus, B was not excluded from the symplasm, but accumulated within it. The apoplasmic fluid did not contribute substantially to the detoxification of excess B in the leaf.