Adequate Boron Supply Modulates Carbohydrate Synthesis and Allocation in Sugarcane

Abstract

Boron (B) is an essential and widely studied element in plants. Due to B dynamics in highly weathered soils, its concentration is generally low. Among other benefits, B interacts with calcium pectate, promotes stability on cellular membrane, and influences directly on plant nutrients uptake and non-structural metabolites synthesis. In sugarcane (<i>Saccharum</i> spp.) crop, adequate B supply has been associated with juice quality and yield of stalks and sugar and its response on adequate B concentration on commercial fields can differ greatly even into a group of varieties recommended for the same production environment. In this context, the authors aimed to assess the effects of B availability on sugarcane root and shoot development, nutrient status, and carbohydrate synthesis and allocation in two sugarcane varieties recommended for the same production environment using hydroponic solution. The experimental design was completely randomized and consisted of four treatments and four replicates. The treatments comprised two sugarcane varieties (RB867515 and RB92579) and two B concentrations (0.05 and 0.5 mg L^-1) considered deficient and adequate, respectively, for plant development. Carbohydrate partitioning, nutrient concentrations in various plant parts, and growth and morphological parameters were evaluated. Under adequate B supply, the total concentrations of reducing sugars and sucrose increased 67 and 20% in RB867515 and 30 and 20% in RB92579, respectively, whereas starch decreased by 27% for both varieties. Adequate B supply increased the concentrations of all elements in all plant organs, except for N and K in leaves, and improved most yield and morphological parameters. Principal component analysis correlated the higher carbohydrates concentration and yield parameters with the variety RB92579, whereas the highest concentration of most nutrients was mainly associated with the variety RB867515, especially under adequate B supply. The main influence of adequate B supply was on carbohydrate synthesis. Although the sugarcane varieties responded differently to B availability, their biometric parameters were enhanced by adequate B supply. These results emphasize the need for B fertilization, regardless of the sugarcane variety's susceptibility to B deficiency.