Identification of boron deficiency responsive genes in Brassica napus inflorescences

This study aimed to identify genes which are differentially expressed in boron (B)-deficient and B-sufficient Brassica napus inflorescences. To this aim, a soil-substrate growth system, which enables experimentation with defined and repeatable B deficiency conditions was optimized to mimic a B-deficiency-induced “flowering without seed setting” phenotype of European winter-type B. napus cultivars. For the transcriptome analysis, RNA extraction was performed at different developmental stages and from different tissues of plants grown either under B-deficient or B-sufficient growth conditions.