Boron in plants: uptake, deficiency and biological potential

Industrialization and ever-augmenting urbanization are directly linked to elevation of metalloid stressors in the environment. Human activities induced disruption of the natural ecosystem, up-regulated lead to build-up and deposition of metal and metalloid cues, is considered a dilemma of paramount significance and cause nutritional and environmental pollution apprehensions. Boron (B) is an indispensable metalloid, having transitional characteristics amid metals and non-metals. B is imperative for plants and its bioavailability in the water and soil medium it’s grown in, are significant for determination of crop growth and productivity. It participates in regulating structural and membrane integrity of the cell wall and plasma membrane, mobility of ions through the membrane, cell division and elongation, reproductive growth, synthesis of biomolecules viz. carbohydrates and proteins, metabolism of phenols and auxins, nitrogen fixation, disease resistance and abiotic stress management. B has an exceedingly narrow range between its deficiency and toxicity in cultivable plants. This review critically elucidates and updates our knowledge regarding: (i) mechanistic of B uptake in plants and its translocation under sufficient and limiteing conditions, and (ii) various strategies to augment B influx in plants which include root traits modification, grafting, employment of biostimulants and nanotechnology. Additionally, we discussed several engrossing aspects related to biological potential of B in plants and mechanism underlying elevation in endurance of plants to B deficit conditions and it’s signaling in plants, which contributes to better understanding of B accumulation and its role in plants. Wide array of documentation on interspecies genetic variability related to B efficiency and tolerance to its toxic levels along with information on physiological and genetic alteration attributes to B will result in development of novel varieties of plants tolerant to B and represents as a sustainable and significant solution to the problem.