As
one of the most widespread deficiencies among plant micronutrients
in agriculture (Shorrocks, 1997), B deficiency causes a
wide range of symptoms including cessation of root elongation,
reduced leaf expansion, death of growing meristems, diminished
photosynthesis, inhibition of flower development, decreased
fruit and seed set, and male sterility, depending on the plant
species and developmental stage (Dell and Huang, 1997; Goldbach
et al., 2001).