Boron-regulated hypocotyl elongation is affected in Arabidopsis mutants with defects in light signalling pathways

We studied the effect of elevated boron (B) concentrations on the growth and development of Arabidopsis thalianain vitro with respect to different light conditions. Two basic responses were observed. At high concentrations (above 5 mM) a clear toxicity effect of B on plant growth was apparent. Seedlings were short, stunted and pale. However at concentrations between 1 and 3 mM H3BO3, hypocotyl elongation was stimulated in all Arabidopsis ecotypes tested relative to plants grown at 0.1 mM H3BO3. The stimulation of hypocotyl elongation by elevated B was proportionally greater with increasing irradiance. We also showed that blue light (BL) and red light (RL) did not alter the sensitivity of Arabidopsis hypocotyls to boron, but, dependent on genotype, BL and RL increased or reduced capacity of boron-induced hypocotyl elongation. Analysis of photomorphogenic mutants indicated the existence of an interaction between boron and light signalling pathways during plant growth and development. This interaction was supported by the observation that the expression of the BOR1 gene in Arabidopsis hypocotyls was stimulated by BL and RL. Our results suggest that in etiolated or light-grown seedlings the stimulation of hypocotyl growth by boron can be mediated by cryptochromes and phytochromes.