Epigenetic Effects of Boron (b) Pollution on Zea mays (l.) Seedlings

Abstract

Nowadays, the widespread use of boron with technological developments has become an environmental problem for all organisms including plants to human and requires urgent precautions. Furthermore, boric acid is used as an insecticide, notably against ants, fleas, and cockroaches. Boric acid is more toxic to insects than to mammals. Therefore, boron toxicity was investigated. DNA methylation is one of the mechanisms that affect the expression of gene. The present study was aim to observe epigenetical changes of boron on maize species. The assays five boron concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20, 40mM) were used. CRED-RA (Coupled Restriction Enzyme Digestion-Random Amplification) was used as a molecular marker to examine epigenetic changes in the experimental groups. The method gave qualitative data about DNA methylation caused by boron. In this study, the polymorphic percentage of each concentration was calculated. Consequently, it was revealed that four concentrations of boron caused DNA methylation.