Tolerance of barley cultivars to an acid,aluminum‐toxic subsoil related to mineral element concentrations in their shoots

Abstract

Barley, Hordeum vulgare L., is extremely sensitive to excess soluble or exchangeable aluminum (Al) in acid soils having pH values below about 5.5. Aluminum tolerant cultivars are needed for use in rotations with potatoes which require a soil pH below 5.5 for control of scab disease. They are also potentially useful in the currently popular “low input, sustainable agriculture (LISA)”; in which liming even the plow layer of soil is not always possible or cost effective, or in situations where surface soils are limed but subsoils are acidic and Al toxic to roots. Ten barley cultivars were screened for Al tolerance by growing them for 25 days in greenhouse pots of acid, Al‐toxic Tatum subsoil (clayey, mixed, thermic, typic Hapludult) treated with either 750 or 4000 μg?g^‐1 CaCO₃ to produce final soil pH values of 4.4 and 5.7, respectively. Based on relative shoot dry weight (weight at pH 4.4/weight at pH 5.7 X 100), Tennessee Winter 52, Volla (England), Dayton and Herta (Denmark) were significantly more tolerant to the acid soil than Herta (Hungary), Kearney, Nebar, Dicktoo, Kenbar and Dundy cultivars. Relative shoot dry weights averaged 28.6% for tolerant and 14.1% for sensitive cultivar groups. Comparable relative root dry weights were 41.7% and 13.7% for tolerant and sensitive cultivars, respectively. At pH 4.4, Al concentrations were nearly three times as high in shoots of sensitive cultivars as in those of the tolerant group (646 vs. 175 μg?g^‐1), but these differences were reduced or absent at pH 5.7. At pH 4.4, acid soil sensitive cultivars also accumulated phosphorus concentrations that were twice as high as those in tolerant cultivars (1.2% vs. 0.64%). At pH 5.7, these P differences were equalized at about 0.7% for both tolerant and sensitive groups. At pH 4.4, shoots of the Al‐sensitive cultivar Nebar contained 1067 μg?g^‐1 Al and 1.5% P. Concentrations of Al and P in the shoots of acid soil sensitive cultivars grown at pH 4.4 exceeded levels reported to produce toxicity in barley. The observed accumulation of such concentrations of Al and P in the shoots of plants grown under Al stress is unusual and deserves further study.     

Tolerances of wheat germplasm to acid subsoil

Aluminum toxicity is a major growth limiting factor for plants in many acid soils of the world. Correcting the problem by conventional liming is not always economically feasible, particularly in subsoils. Aluminum tolerant plants provide an alternative and long‐term supplemental solution to the problem. The genetic approach requires the identification of Al tolerance sources that can be transferred to cultivars already having desirable traits. Thirty‐five cultivars and experimental lines of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell) were screened for Al tolerance on acid Tatum soil (clayey, mixed thermic, typic Hapludult) receiving either 0 or 3500 mg CaCO₃/kg (pH 4.1 vs. pH 7.1). Entries showed a wide range of tolerance to the acid soil. On unlimed soil at pH 4.3, absolute shoot dry weights differed by 5‐fold, absolute root dry weights by 6.5‐fold, relative shoot weights (wt. at pH 4.3/wt. at pH 7.1 %) by 4.7‐fold and relative root dry weights by 7‐fold. Superior acid soil (Al) tolerance of ‘BH‐1146’ from Brazil and extreme sensitivities of cultivars ‘Redcoat’ (Indiana, USA) and ‘Sonora 63’ (Mexico) were confirmed. Seven experimental (CNT) lines from Brazil showed a range of acid soil tolerance but were generally more tolerant than germplasm from Mexico and the USA. One line, ‘CNT‐1’, was equal to BH‐1146 in tolerance and may be useful in transferring Al tolerance to existing or new cultivars. Five durum cultivars (Triticum, durum, Desf.) were extremely sensitive to the acid Tatum subsoil at pH 4.3 compared with pH 7.1.     

Tolerance of eastern gamagrass to excess aluminum in acid soil and nutrient solution

Eastern gamagrass, Tripsacum dactyloides L., has been reported to tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions, including drought, flooding, and acidity, but its specific tolerance to aluminum (Al) has not been tested. One strain of this species, PMK Select Lot 94 SFG‐1, was tested for its tolerance to excess Al in an acid, Al‐toxic Tatum subsoil (clayey, mixed, thermic, Typic Hapludult) and in nutrient solutions containing Al. Roots were able to penetrate unfertilized Tatum subsoil at pH levels as low as 4.1–4.2 (1:1 soil‐water), at Al saturations of 64 to 77% of CEC, and to tolerate Al concentrations in nutrient solution that would be lethal for many crop plants. For example, with 4 mg Al L^‐1 and a final solution pH of 4.67, shoot and root dry weights were 75 and 76%, respectively, of those with no Al. Even with 24 mg Al L^‐1 and a final solution pH of 4.13, shoot and root dry weights were 45 and 46%, respectively, of those for the no Al check treatment. Hence, this strain of gamagrass shows promise for use on soils having acidic, Al‐toxic subsoil layers that act as root barriers and predispose plants to injury by drought. Roots of gamagrass are also reported to penetrate hard clay pans and to create root channels for subsequent crops that lack this ability. Current studies indicate that the strain tested was susceptible to a chlorosis resembling iron (Fe) deficiency when grown in a Jiffy Mix potting mixture or with excess Al in nutrient solutions. Hence, gamagrass is tentatively being classified as a calcifuge [Al tolerant‐Fe‐inefficient]. In the current experiment, considerable plant to plant variability was noted regarding susceptibility to this chlorosis factor and to a purpling symptom resembling phosphorus (P) deficiency. Results indicate that an exhaustive screening of gamagrass populations could identify strains that are more suitable for specific soil situations.     

Responses of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars to excess aluminum in nutrient solutions

Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis L., is generally regarded as an acid‐soil‐sensitive species. However, previous studies in our laboratory showed that cultivars within the species differed widely in tolerance to acid Tatum subsoil (pH 4.6) which is used routinely to screen plants for aluminum (Al) tolerance. In the early studies, specific differential Al tolerance was not demonstrated. The objective of the current study was to test the hypothesis of differential Al tolerance more precisely in nutrient solutions. In one experiment, acid‐soil‐tolerant Victa and Fylking and acid‐soil‐sensitive Windsor and Kenblue cultivars were grown for 35 days in nutrient solutions containing 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 mg Al L^‐1, at initial pH 4.5, with no subsequent adjustment. In a second experiment, Victa and Windsor were grown for 30 days in solutions containing 0, 4, and 6 mg Al L^‐1, at initial pH 4.5, with no further adjustment. For Victa and Windsor, tolerance to Al in nutrient solution corresponded with tolerance to acid Tatum subsoil, however, the cultivar difference in tolerance, based on relative root dry weight, was only about 2‐fold, compared with 20‐fold in acid Tatum subsoil. Fylking and Kenblue cultivars, which showed a wide difference in tolerance to acid Tatum subsoil, did not show distinct differences in tolerance to Al in nutrient solutions. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed. Superior Al tolerance of Victa (compared with Windsor) was associated with a greater plant‐induced increase in the pH of its nutrient solutions and a corresponding decrease in concentrations of soluble Al in the filtered solutions at the end of the experiments. Greater Al sensitivity in Windsor (compared with Victa) was not related to reduced uptake of phosphorus (P) or excessive uptake of Al; neither cultivar accumulated appreciable Al concentrations in its shoots. The observed differential acid soil and Al tolerance among bluegrass cultivars appears worthy of further study. Improved understanding of Al tolerance mechanisms would contribute to fundamental knowledge of plant mineral nutrition and could aid plant breeders in tailoring plants for greater tolerance to acid subsoils.     

Role of water stress in differential aluminum tolerance of six sunflower cultivars grown in an acid soil

Six cultivars of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), were screened under controlled environmental conditions for tolerance to Al stress and water stress imposed separately and in combination with one another. Plants were grown for 4 weeks in waxed cartons containing 1 kg of acid, Al‐toxic Tatum, subsoil (clayey, mixed, thermic, Typic Hapludult) at high (pH 4.3) or low (pH 6.3) Al stress. During the final 2 weeks they were also subjected to low (‐20 to ‐40 kPa) or high (‐60 to ‐80 kPa) water stress. Plant growth responses and symptoms of Al toxicity suggested that a wide range of cultivar sensitivity existed. ‘Manchurian’, ‘S‐212’, ‘S‐254’, and ‘S‐265’ were relatively tolerant to Al toxicity while cultlvars ‘Romania HS‐52’ and ‘RM‐52’ were extremely sensitive. Under high Al stress and high water stress, chloroplasts in cells from the Al‐sensitive cultivar ‘Romania HS‐52’ were smaller and contained less starch than chloroplasts from the Al‐tolerant cultivar ‘Manchurian’. Furthermore, the smaller chloroplasts tended to have fewer grana stacks per unit area than did the chloroplasts from tolerant plants. These differences were not apparent when the Al‐sensitive cultivar was grown either in the absence of Al or water stress. In general, Al‐sensitive cultivars of sunflower were more tolerant to water stress than were Al‐tolerant cultivars. Increasing the soil moisture level reduced Al toxicity in Al‐sensitive cultivars. Similarly, decreasing Al stress partially overcame the detrimental effects of high water stress. Hence, Al stress and water stress are interrelated factors which must be considered in the characterization and breeding of plants for better adaptation to acid soils.     

Tolerance of durum wheat lines to an acid,aluminum‐toxic subsoil

Durum wheat, Triticum durum Desf., is reportedly more sensitive to aluminum (Al) toxicity in acid soils than hexaploid wheat, Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell. Aluminum‐tolerant genotypes would permit more widespread use of this species where it is desired, but not grown, because of acid soil constraints. Durum wheat germplasm has not been adequately screened for acid soil (Al) tolerance. Fifteen lines of durum wheat were grown for 28 days in greenhouse pots of acid, Al‐toxic Tatum subsoil at pH 4.5, and non‐toxic soil at pH 6.0. Aluminum‐tolerant Atlas 66 and sensitive Scout 66 hexaploid wheats were also included as standards. Based on relative shoot and root dry weight (wt. at pH 4.5/wt. at pH 6.0 X 100), durum entries differed significantly in tolerance to the acid soil. Relative shoot dry weight alone was an acceptable indicator of acid soil tolerance. Relative dry weights ranged from 55.1 to 15.5% for shoots and from 107 to 15.8% for roots. Durum lines PI 195726 (Ethiopia) and PI 193922 (Brazil) were significantly more tolerant than all other entries, even the Al‐tolerant, hexaploid Atlas 66 standard. Hence, these two lines have potential for direct use on acid soils or as breeding materials for use in developing greater Al tolerance in durum wheat. Unexpectedly, the range of acid soil tolerance available in durum wheat appears comparable to that in the hexaploid species. Hence, additional screening of durum wheat germplasm for acid soil (Al) tolerance appears warranted. Durum lines showing least tolerance to the acid soil included PI 322716 (Mexico), PI 264991 (Greece), PI 478306 (Washington State, USA), and PI 345040 (Yugoslavia). The Al‐sensitive Scout 66 standard was as sensitive as the most sensitive durum lines. Concentrations of Al and phosphorus were significantly higher in shoots of acid soil sensitive than in those of tolerant lines, and these values exceeded those reported to cause Al and phosphorus (P) toxicities in wheat and barley.     

Varietal diversity of upland rice in sensitivity to aluminium

A rapid and simple nutrient addition technique was used for evaluating Al tolerance of six local upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars (BG35, BR21, DA25, DA26, DA14, and DA22) from Bangladesh and three IRRI rice, IR46, IR97, and IR45, cultivars from the Philippines. The plants were grown for 21 days with Al (0 μM, 140 μM, 280 μM or 560 μM) at pH 4.1. The roots were more affected by Al than the shoots. In rating cultivars for Al sensitivity, relative shoot weight (RSW) was found to be the best parameter due to the severe damage of the roots, irrespective of Al sensitivity. The cultivars were rated as Al tolerant (BG35, BR21, DA25, and DA26), mid‐tolerant (DA14, DA22, and IR46) and sensitive (IR97 and IR45) . More Al was retained in the roots of tolerant cultivars than in the mid‐tolerant or sensitive cultivars. In shoots, the Al concentration of tolerant cultivars was less than in the mid‐tolerant or in the sensitive cultivars and the inhibition of growth was proportional to Al concentration irrespective of Al tolerance. Therefore, the variation among cultivars in Al sensitivity could be related to the capacity of roots to retain Al from transport to the shoots.     

Acid soil tolerances of wheat lines selected for high grain protein content

Literature suggests that nitrogen (N) metabolism is involved in differential acid soil (Al) tolerances among wheat (Triticwn aestivum L. en Thell) genotypes. Atlas 66 wheat is characterized by acid soil and aluminum (Al) tolerance, nitrate (NO₃ ^‐) preference, pH increase of the rhizosphere, high nitrate reductase activity, and high protein in the grain. Atlas 66 has been used as a high protein gene donor in the development of new high protein wheat lines at Lincoln, NE. The objective of our study was to determine the acid soil tolerances of such lines and to relate such tolerances to their abilities to accumulate grain protein when grown on near‐neutral, non‐toxic soils. Twenty‐five experimental lines, nine cultivars not previously classified as Al‐tolerant or ‐sensitive and three cultivars previously classified according to acid soil tolerance, were grown for 28 days in greenhouse pots of acid, Al‐toxic Tatum subsoil. Relative shoot dry weight (pH 4.35/pH 5.41%) varied from 83.2% for Atlas 66 to 19.3% for Siouxland. Atlas 66 was significantly more tolerant to the acid soil than all other entries except Edwall. Yecorro Roja and Cardinal were intermediate in tolerance. None of the high protein lines approached Atlas 66 in tolerance, but two lines (N87U106 and N87U123) were comparable to Cardinal (relative shoot yield = 54%) which is used on acid soils in Ohio. At pH 4.35, the most acid soil tolerant entries contained significantly lower Al and significantly higher potassium (K) concentrations in their shoots than did sensitive entries. Shoots of acid soil sensitive entries, Scout 66, Siouxland, Plainsman V, and Anza contained deficient or near deficient concentrations of K when grown at pH 4.35. Acid soil tolerance was not closely related to calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), manganese (Mn), or iron (Fe) concentrations at pH 4.35. Liming the soil to pH 5.41 tended to equalize Al and K concentrations in shoots of tolerant and sensitive entries. Results indicated that acid soil tolerance and grain protein concentrations were not strongly linked in the wheat populations studied. Hence, the probability of increasing acid soil tolerance by crossing Atlas 66 with Nebraskan wheat germplasm is low. However, the moderate level of acid soil tolerance in N87U106 and N87U123 (comparable to that of Cardinal) may be useful in further studies.     

Differential tolerances of oat cultivars to aluminum in nutrient solutions and in acid soils of Poland

Aluminum tolerant oat cultivars are needed for use on acid soil sites where neutralization of soil acidity by liming is not economically feasible. Oat germplasm in Poland has not been examined for range of Al tolerance. Eleven Polish oat cultivars were screened for Al tolerance in nutrient solutions containing 0, 5 and 15 mg L^‐1 Al. Three of these cultivars showing high to moderate tolerance to Al in nutrient solutions were also grown in greenhouse pots of soil and in field plots of soil over a pH range of 3.8 to 5.5 as determined in 1 N KC1.

The eleven oat cultivars differed significantly in tolerance to Al in nutrient solutions. Based on relative root yield (15 mg L^‐1 Al/no A1%), the cultivars ‘Solidor’ and ‘Diadem’ were most tolerant and ‘Pegaz’ and ‘B‐20’ were least tolerant. For these three cultivars, the order of tolerance to acid soil agreed with the order of tolerance to Al in nutrient solution ‐ namely, Solidor > Diadem > Leanda. Hence, for these cultivars, the nutrient solution methods used appear adequate for selecting plants that are more tolerant to Al in strongly acid soils. Additional study is needed to assess the value of this method for screening a broad range of germplasm.

Superior tolerance of the Solidor cultivar to acid soil was associated with significantly higher concentrations of N in the grain. Hence, results suggest that selecting for acid soil or Al tolerance may increase N efficiency in oats.     

Acid soil tolerances of two wheat cultivars related to soil Ph,KCl‐extractable aluminum and degree of aluminum saturation

Aluminum toxicity, associated with soil acidity, is a major growth‐limiting factor for plants in many parts of the world. More precise criteria are needed for the identification of potential Al toxicity in acid soils. The objective of the current study was to relate the acid soil tolerances of two wheat cultivars to three characteristics of an acid Tatum subsoil (clayey, mixed, thermic, typic Hapludult): pH in a 1:1 soil to water suspension; KCl‐extractable Al; and degree of Al saturation. Aluminum‐tolerant ‘BH 1146’ (Brazil) and Al‐sensitive ‘Sonora 63’ (Mexico) wheat cultivars were grown in greenhouse pots of soil treated with CaCO₃ to establish final soil pH levels of 4.1, 4.6, 4.7, 4.9, 5.2 and 7.3. Soil Al, Ca and Mg were extracted with 1 N KCl, and Al saturation was calculated as KCl‐Al/KCl Al + Ca + Mg%.

Within the soil pH range of 4.1 to 4.9, BH 1146 tops and roots produced significantly more dry matter than did those of Sonora 63; however, at pH 5.2 and 7.3, the top and root yields of the two cultivars were not significantly different. Significant cultivar differences in yield occurred over a range of 36 to 82% saturation of the Tatum soil. Graphs of relative top or root yields against soil pH, KCl‐extractable Al and Al saturation indicated that the two cultivars could be separated for tolerance to Tatum soil under the following conditions: pH less than 5.2 (1:1 soil‐water); KCl‐Al levels greater than 2 c mole kg^‐1 and Al saturations greater than 20%. Results demonstrated that any soil test used to predict Al toxicity in acid soils must take into account the Al tolerances of the plant cultivars involved.     

Ozone tolerances of soybean cultivars and near‐isogenic lines in a fumigation chamber

Ozone (O₃) toxicity is a potential yield‐limiting factor for soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) in the United States and worldwide. The most economical solution to the problem is to use O₃‐tolerant cultivars. Thirty‐four cultivars and 87 near‐isogenic lines (NILS) of soybean were screened for O₃ tolerance in a fumigation chamber (250 ppb for three hrs). Most tolerant cultivars tested were ‘Cloud’, ‘T‐276’, ‘T263’, and ‘Kindu’. Moderately tolerant cultivars included ‘Davis’, ‘T‐210’, and ‘Elton’. Most sensitive cultivars were ‘Corsoy 79’, ‘Noir’, and ‘Midwest’. The original ‘Clark’ cultivar was not tested, but ‘Clark 63’ tended to be more tolerant than ‘Harosoy’. The aluminum (Al)‐tolerant ‘Perry’ cultivar also tended toward greater O₃ tolerance than the Al‐sensitive ‘Chief’, as observed earlier. Our rankings of ‘Hark’ as moderately sensitive and ‘Davis’ as moderately tolerant are also in agreement with earlier reports. Among NILS, the order of O₃ tolerance was generally Williams>Clark>Harosoy, but differences were also observed within these parental groups. For example, L68–560 was more tolerant than some other NILS of ‘Harosoy’. ‘L76–1988’ appeared more tolerant to O₃ than other NILS of ‘Williams’, but all ‘Williams’ NILS were more tolerant than most NILS of ‘Harosoy’ and ‘Clark’. Ozone‐tolerant and ‐sensitive soybean cultivars or NILS identified in our study may be useful tools in studies on mechanisms of 03 tolerance and differential 03 tolerances in plants and in the development of ameliorative measures.     

Differential aluminum tolerance in some tropical rice cultivars. II. mechanism of aluminum tolerance

Ten‐day‐old seedlings of 22 rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars were subjected to aluminum (Al) stress in nutrient solutions with an initial pH of 4.0±0.1. The rice cultivars exhibited a wide range of response by changing the rhizosphere pH, and the uptake and efficiency ratio (ER) of utilization of nutrients both in the presence (222 μM Al) and absence of Al. In the presence of Al, the cultivars Co 37 and Basmati 370 recorded maximum uptake and highest ER's for calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), phosphorus (P), and iron (Fe). The cultivars Damodar and ADT 36 performed very poorly in terms of nutrient uptake. The tolerant cultivars (Al‐insensitive) efficiently took up and utilized Ca and P in the presence of Al. The susceptible (Al‐sensitive) and intermediate cultivars exhibited less Ca and P uptake and utilization. There was no apparent relationship between foliar Al content and the efficiency ratios. However, the Al‐tolerant cultivars, Co 37 and Basmati 370, accumulated less Al in their foliage which was the reverse in case for the Al‐susceptible cultivars. Among the 22 rice cultivars tested, Co 37 and Basmati 370 emerged as the most Al‐tolerant. Hence, they would be recommended for cultivation in acidic, infertile soils of the tropics. The results of this study are discussed in terms of identifying the mechanism of Al tolerance or sensitivity among the studied rice cultivars as related to their nutrient metabolism.     

EFFECTS OF CALCIUM AND SALINITY STRESS ON QUALITY OF LETTUCE IN SOILLESS CULTURE

Abstract

Fine fescues (Festuca spp.) are generally considered acid tolerant compared to other cool‐season turfgrasses. However, there is little information on aluminum (Al) tolerance of fine fescues at both the species and cultivar levels. The objectives of this study were to identy cultivars of fine fescues with superior ability to tolerate Al, and compare the Al tolerance of endophyte infected and endophyte‐free cultivars in Al tolerance. A total of 58 cultrvars of fine fescues belonging to five species or subspecies [14 hard fescue (F. longifolia Thuill), 25 Chewings fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. commutata Gaud), 15 strong creeping red fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. rubra), two slender creeping red fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. trichophylla), and two sheep fescue (F. ovina L.)] were selected from the 1993 National Fineleaf Fescue Test and screened under greenhouse conditions using solution culture, sand culture, and acid Tatum soil (Clayey, mixed, thermic, typic, Hapludult). The acid Tatum soil had 69% exchangeable Al and a pH of 4.4. An Al concentration of 640 μM and a pH of 4.0 were used in solution culture and sand culture screening. The grasses were seeded and grown for three weeks before harvesting. Aluminum tolerance was assessed by measuring relative root length, shoot length, root weight, shoot weight, and total dry matter. Differences in Al tolerance were identified at both the species and cultivar level based on relative growth were as follows: i) hard fescue and Chewings fescue were more Al tolerant than strong creeping red fescue; ii) within species or subspecies, significant differences were found among cultvars of Chewings fescue, strong creeping red fescue, slender creeping red fescue, and sheep fescue; whereas no difference was observed among the hard fescue cultivars; and iii) the cultivars containing endophyte exhibited greater Al tolerance compared the eudophyte‐free cultivars. The results indicate that fine fescues vary in Al tolerance and there is potential to improve Al tolerance with breeding and to refine their management recommendations regarding soil pH.     

Differential Tolerances of Amaranthus Strains to High Levels of Aluminum and Manganese in Acid Soils

Species of Amaranthus are grown extensively as leafy green vegetables in tropical Africa and Asia and as high yielding grain crops in Western South America, Central America, Northern India, Western Nepal, and Pakistan. The crop is often grown on acid, marginal soils, under subsistence conditions, where liming even the soil plow layer may not be economically feasible. Hence, the identification or development of strains with high tolerance to acid soils would be beneficial. Aluminum and Mn toxicities are the most important growth‐limiting factors in many acid soils. The objective of our research was to determine the tolerances of selected Amaranthus strains to high levels of these elements in acid soils.

Fifteen strains, representing five species, were grown in greenhouse pots of an acid, Al‐toxic Tatum soil limed to pH 4.8 and 5.8. Strains differed significantly in tolerance to the acid soil. Relative yields (pH 4.8/pH 5.8%) ranged from 50.1 to 6.3% for tops and from 54.5 to 5.7% for roots. Four strains of A. tricolor L. (vegetable type) were significantly more tolerant than six strains of A. cruentus L. (seed and vegetable type). Strains of A. hypochondriacus L. and A. caudatus L. studied were intermediate in tolerance.

Twelve strains, representing four species, were grown on an acid, Mn‐toxic Zanesville soil at pH 4.6 and 6.3. Strains also differed significantly in tolerance to this acid soil; however, overall growth was better and strain differences were smaller than on Al‐toxic Tatum soil at pH 4.8. On Zanesville soil the relative top yields (pH 4.6/pH 6.3%) ranged from 74.1 to 18.6%. The most tolerant group included three strains of A. tricolor and one strain of A. hypochondriacus, but four strains of A. cruentus were also fairly tolerant. The sensitive end of the scale included one strain of A. cruentus and two strains of A. hypochondriacus.

In general, strains that were most tolerant to the Al‐toxic Tatum soil were also among the most tolerant to the Mn‐toxic Zanesville soil. Likewise, those most sensitive to the high Al soil were most sensitive to the high Mn soil. But some strains that were sensitive to excess Al in Tatum soil were fairly tolerant to high Mn in Zanesville soil.

Results suggest that superior strains of Amaranthus can be selected or developed for use on acid soils.     

Aluminum effects on six wheat cultivars in Kenyan soils

Abstract

Six cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), Kenya Nyumbu, Kenya Zabadi, Alondra, Kenya Swara, Kenya Tumbili, and Kenya Fahari, were tested for their susceptibility to Al. They were grown in a glasshouse in four Kenyan soils, two of which had high Al, low pH and supported poor field crops, and two of which had higher pH, lower Al and supported healthy field crops. Shoot, root and seed weights, and concentrations of Al, Ca, and Mn in shoots and seeds were determined at harvesting. Significant differences in Al susceptibility between varieties existed, and these differences increased with increasing soil Al. The Al‐susceptibility ratings using a root‐staining procedure for these cultivars reported by earlier workers were not fully confirmed; K. Fahari, rated as “Al‐susceptible”;, performed as well as “Al‐tolerant”; varieties. Greater uptake of Mn by all cultivars seemed to be due to anaerobiosis through poor soil drainage. The marked Al‐susceptibility of K. Swara is probably due to its inability to restrict Al uptake. Further testing of cultivars is necessary under field conditions to confirm their Al‐susceptibility to acidic, high‐Al soils.     

Role of water stress in differential aluminum tolerance of two barley cultivars grown in an acid soil

Two cultivars of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), Al‐sensitive ‘Dayton’ and Al‐tolerant ‘Kearney’, were grown under controlled environmental conditions to determine the influence of Al stress and water stress imposed separately and in combination with one another. Plants were grown for 4 weeks in polyethylene‐lined, waxed cartons containing 1 kg of acid, Al‐toxic, Tatum subsoil (clayey, mixed, thermic, Typic Hapludult) at high (pH 4.7) or low (pH 6.6) Al stress. During the final 2 weeks they were also subjected to low (‐20 to ‐40 kPa) or high (‐60 to ‐80 kPa) water stress. Under low water stress, little difference in the growth or appearance of the two cultivars was found, even in the presence of low Al stress (pH 6.6). When high water stress treatment was superimposed on low Al stress treatment, however, significant differences between the two cultivars in biomass production, leaf enlargement, and tillering resulted. When high water stress was combined with high Al stress (pH 4.7), these differences in vegetative growth were further magnified. Thus, drought exacerbates the stress effects of Al toxicity in plants and may account for a significant portion of the reduction in yield commonly observed in acid soils under field conditions and formerly attributed to Al toxicity alone. By increasing soil moisture level, the growth suppressive effect of Al toxicity was significantly reduced.     

Indirect effects of aluminum on the reflectance properties of rice cultivars differing in aluminum tolerance

Ten‐day‐old seedlings of six rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars were grown hydroponically for 30 days in a nutrient solution containing 222 μM aluminum (Al)/L. Leaf reflectance properties were determined at visible (400–700 nm) and near infrared (700–1100 nm) wavelengths under controlled environmental conditions. For the Al‐tolerant cultivars of rice, there was no significant difference in the visible and near infrared reflectances. By contrast, the Al‐susceptible cultivars showed a prominent increase in reflectance in both the visible (with minor shift in the peak) and in the near infrared region. Foliar chlorophyll content decreased significantly in the Al‐susceptible cultivars but not in the Al‐tolerant cultivars. Further, mineral uptake, uitilization efficiency, and pigment contents have been correlated with these reflectances. In addition, there was no correlation between foliar Al content and changes in the reflectance of the Al‐treated susceptible cultivars.     

Screening Kentucky bluegrass for aluminum tolerance

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a growth‐limiting factor in acid soils for many turfgrasses. The genetic diversity among turfgrass cultivars for Al tolerance is not well known. One hundred‐fifty Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) genotypes (cultivars, selections, and breeding lines) belonging to seven ecotypes were selected to screen for Al tolerance under greenhouse conditions using solution culture, sand culture, and an acid Tatum subsoil (Clayey, mixed, thermic, typic, Hapludult). This soil had 69% exchangeable Al and a pH of 4.4. An Al concentration of 320 μM and a pH of 4.0 in a modified 1/4 strength Hoagland nutrient solution was used in solution screening and sand screening. The grasses were seeded and grown four to five weeks before harvesting. Differences were identified among cultivars and the seven ecotypes by measuring relative growth. ‘Battan’, ‘Viva’, and ‘Nassau’ were the most Al‐tolerant cultivars based on the rank average of the three screening methods. Among the seven ecotypes, BVMG, which refers to cultivars such as ‘Baron’, ‘Victa’, ‘Merit’, and ‘Gnome’, were most Al tolerant while Midwest ecotypes, which are frequently referred to as common Kentucky bluegrasses, consistently exhibited the least Al tolerance. The results indicate that the Kentucky bluegrass cultivars vary genetically in Al tolerance and that there is potential to improve such tolerance with breeding and to refine cultivar‐specific management recommendations regarding soil pH.     

Short‐term effects of pH and aluminium on mineral nutrition in maize varieties differing in proton and aluminium tolerance

In short‐term (24 h) nutrient solution experiments, the influence of different proton (pH 6.0 and pH 4.3) and aluminium (Al) (0, 20, and 50 μM) concentrations on root and coleoptile elongation, dry weight, and the uptake of selected mineral nutrients was studied in maize (Zea mays L.) varieties that differ in acid soil tolerance under field conditions. The acid‐soil‐tolerant maize varieties, Adour 250 and C525M, proved to be hydrogen (H⁺) ion sensitive, but Al tolerant, while the acid soil tolerant variety BR201F was H⁺ tolerant but Al sensitive. The acid soil sensitive variety HS 7777 was affected by both H⁺ and Al toxicity. The proton‐induced inhibition of root elongation was closely related to the proton‐induced decrease of the specific absorption rates (SAR) of boron (B), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P). In contrast, only the specific absorption rate of B (SARB) was significantly correlated to the Al‐induced inhibition of root elongation. It is concluded, that alterations of nutrient uptake may play an important role in H⁺ toxicity, while at least after short‐term exposure to Al, alterations of Ca, Fe, Mg, or P uptake do not seem to be responsible for Al‐induced inhibition of root elongation. Further attention deserves the Al‐B interaction, moreover taking into account that a highly significant correlation between Al‐induced increase of callose concentration in root tips and Al‐induced decrease of SAR_B could be established.     

Aluminum tolerance of segregating wheat populations in acidic soil and nutrient solutions

Abstract

Increased demand for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars tolerant to acid‐soil stress has accelerated genetic research on aluminum (Al) tolerance in soil and solution media. Our objective was to characterize the genetic segregation of tolerant and susceptible plants from two populations in an Al‐toxic Porters soil (coarse‐loamy, mixed, mesic Umbric Dystrochrepts), and in nutrient solutions with 0.09, 0.18, 0.36, 0.72, and 0.90 mM Al. Rapid bioassays were applied to determine seedling responses of two Al‐tolerant (Cardinal and Becker) and two susceptible cultivars (GK Zombor and GK Kincso) and their F₂ progenies. In the Al‐toxic soil, Becker/Kincso F₂ and Cardinal/Zombor F₂ exhibited contrasting segregation patterns but with similar heritability values (0.60 and 0.57, respectively). Higher values of root length in soil were dominant in Cardinal/Zombor F₂ (degree of dominance, d = 0.98), but dominance was absent (d = 0.07) for Becker/Kincso F₂. The results of the soil and nutrient‐solution experiments were not entirely consistent; gene expression appeared to be influenced by the concentration of Al in the nutrient solution. The frequency of susceptible F₂ plants increased proportionately to the increase in Al concentration for both populations. This unexpected pattern provides further evidence that segregation in wheat populations cannot always be explained by single‐gene inheritance.