The roots of several members of the Family Boraginaceae produce a suite of naphthoquinones with anti-microbial properties. These compounds are easy to study in the root because of their strong color. The compounds are produced in different cells types during development and in response to environmental and microbial stresses. During emergence of the radicle from the seed, the compounds are present only in the root border cells and in small amounts in the root hairs. In response to stress, these compounds are synthesized in the epidermal cells of the root in ratios that differ from the the compounds in the border cells and root hairs. Studies are on-going on the distribution and production of these compounds in the plants native to Arizona .

Dr. Lindy Brigham, lbrigham@ag.arizona.edu