Boron as a transducer in some physiological processes of plants.

The physiological role of boron in plants is depicted as that of a transducer in several processes initiated by light, gravity, and some plant hormones. Some studies had shown that these actions of light and gravity depend upon the presence of boron. Boron had been demonstrated to be concentrated in the cell membrane. It is suggested that boron acts by forming a strong, positive electrostatic charge in the membrane through the capture of an electron loosened from a donor (probably a sulhydryl containing compound) which is perturbed by actions of light, gravity, and phytohormones. The generated positive charge could control the passage of ions through pores of the cell membrane to regulate pinnule movement. The positive charge could also attract and orient negatively charged molecules, such as nucleic acids, and thereby initiate, faciliate, or control certain vital reactions involved in cell division, cell elongation, and flowering.