Developmental Characteristics and Cinnamic Acid Resistance of Root Border Cells in Cucumber and Figleaf Gourd Seedlings

Root border cells (RBCs) originate from the root tip epidermis and surround the root apices. In this study, we evaluated the developmental characteristics and the roles of RBCs in protection of root apices of cucumber and figleaf gourd seedlings from CA toxicity. The formation of RBCs and the emergence of the root tip occurred almost simultaneously in root apices of cucumber and figleaf gourd seedlings. CA ranging from 0 to 0.25 mol L−1 inhibited root elongation and decreased root cell viability in the root tip, moreover the inhibitory effects of CA were more significant in the CA-sensitive cucumber than in the CA-tolerant figleaf gourd. Removal of RBCs from root tips led to more severe CA induced inhibition of root elongation and decline in root cell viability. Increasing CA levels and treatment time decreased the relative viability of attached and detached RBCs. CA also induced a thicker mucilage layer surrounding attached RBCs of both species. Additionally, a significantly higher relative cell viability of attached RBCs and thicker mucilage layers were observed in figleaf gourd. These results suggest that RBCs play an important role in protecting root tips from CA toxicity.