Differential Changes in Cell-Wall Content and Boron and Calcium Concentration in Newhall Navel Orange Grafted on Two Rootstocks Differing in Boron-Deficiency Responses

The study aimed to determine if the variability of the effect of boron (B) deficiency on Newhall navel orange grafted on trifoliate orange (deficient-B-sensitive) and on citrange (deficient-B-tolerant) can be explained on the basis of changes in cell-wall content and in cell-wall B and calcium (Ca) concentrations. The plants were cultured in the nutrient solution (with or without B) for 65days. Boron deficiency increased the cell-wall content in old leaves (leaves from last season) of trifoliate orange but had no impact on citrange. Boron deficiency did not reduce B concentration in cell walls of old leaves of citrange-grafted plants but increased their Ca concentration. For trifoliate-orange-grafted plants, however, B deficiency decreased the B concentration in cell walls of old leaves and did not increase their Ca concentration. The changes of B and Ca concentrations between with and without B supply in pectin were in good agreement with the changes of those in cell walls. The relatively greater ability of citrange-grafted plants to maintain B and Ca in the cell wall may contribute to their tolerance to low external B.