Kiwifruit sensitivity to boron: impact on physiological and molecular responses

Abstract

Boron (B) is an essential micronutrient critical for crop growth and productivity. However, excessive boron concentrations can impair plant development, and detoxification remains a significant challenge. Understanding genetic variability and identifying tolerance mechanisms are crucial for developing boron-resistant cultivars. This study explores the physiological and molecular responses of two Actinidia species, namely kiwifruit (A.chinensis) and kiwiberry (A.arguta), to varying levels of excess B. Under excessive B conditions, B accumulation followed the order roots< stems