Effects of boron on somatic embryogenesis of Daucus carota

Although the micronutrient boron (B) apparently exerts no influences on the induction of somatic embryogenesis of cultured carrot petiole explants, strong influences on the development of somatic embryos were observed (0–8 mg l−1 B). At lower B concentrations the development of roots is promoted with simultaneous retardation of shoot development and at higher B concentrations shoot development is favored at the expenses of the development of the root system. Parallel to this, the ratios of concentrations of endogenous indole-3-acetic acid to total cytokinins (with one exception) changes continuously from 4 (zero B) to 0.22 (8 mg l−1 B). Analogies to morphogenetic reactions following the application of various ratios of auxins/cytokinins to the nutrient medium of cultured tissue (Skoog and Miller, 1957 and others) are suggested. An increase in the B concentration in the nutrient medium results generally in a reduced concentration of endogenous abscisic acid.