Organic acids in root exudates from Picea abies seedlings influenced by mycorrhiza and aluminum

Organic acid anions exuded from roots of Picea abies (Norway spruce) seedlings grown on glass beads in the presence and absence of mycorrhiza (Laccaria bicolor) and aluminum (Al) at pH 3.9 were measured. We wanted to test if the roots exuded more organic acid anions when exposed to Al and if mycorrhization influenced the exudation. Oxalate was exuded in far higher amounts than any other organic acid anion, with a maximum rate of 1.7 nmol (mg root DW)^–1 d^–1. Mycorrhizal roots exuded significantly more oxalate than nonmycorrhizal roots. The presence of Al did not enhance oxalate exudation. We conclude that the oxalate exuded constitutively by Picea abies/Laccaria bicolor may lead to rhizosphere oxalate concentrations that are relevant for Al resistance.     

Dissolved components in precipitation water percolated through forest litter

Leaves lying on the forest floor are a major source of dissolved organic substances in soil and surface waters, and these substances have important effects in those environments. We used zero‐tension lysimeters to study the chemical characteristics of water percolating through litter from various species of forest trees. The leaching rates were greatest in the autumn and declined rapidly thereafter, especially for deciduous litter. During an annual cycle, 2.5–17% of the initial contents of the carbon in the litter was recovered as dissolved organic carbon in percolates. Humus‐like substances, hydrophilic acids and hydrophilic neutral compounds constituted the major fractions of dissolved C. Leachates from deciduous leaf litter were only partly biodegradable, and those from spruce needles were scarcely biodegradable. Low molecular weight organic acids constituted 0–12% of the dissolved organic carbon in the percolates of the first autumn sampling and decreased over time. Acetic and formic acids were present at the largest concentrations, up to 30 μmol l^?1 per g litter, and gluconic, pyruvic, fumaric, oxalic and citric acids were also frequent in significant concentrations. Among the aromatic acids, p‐hydroxybenzoic acid was identified in four out of five autumn samples. The organic components in litter leachates are important for the microbial activity in soil and surface waters. The organic acids enhance weathering and translocation of metals by their ability to form complexes. Litter is also a source of inorganic ions in soil solutions. The dominant cations in the percolates were K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, and spruce litter also yielded large quantities of Al and Fe.     

Aluminum tolerances of two snapbean cultivars related to organic acid content evaluated by high‐performance liquid chromatography

High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine aluminum (Al)‐induced changes in organic acid (OA) concentrations of Al‐tolerant ‘Dade’ and Al‐sensitive ‘Romano’ snapbean cultivars. Two week old ‘Dade’ and ‘Romano’ snapbean were grown in 1/5‐strength Steinberg nutrient solution for 10 days and then subjected to 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mg L^‐1 Al treatments at pH 4.5 for an additional 3–15 days. Current studies confirmed earlier findings that the Dade cultivar was significantly more tolerant to Al than the Romano variety. Organic acid analyses were performed on extracts of root and leaf, and on stem exudates. The organic acids were separated on an ion exclusion column using a mobile phase of 0.01 N H₃PO₄. Individual OA were quantified with a variable wavelength detector operating at 210 nm. Aluminum stress tended to reduce the concentrations of citric, malonlc, malic, glycolic, fumaric, and acetic acids in the roots and increased the OA concentrations in stem exudates. In the presence or absence of Al stress, the Al tolerant Dade cultivar contained higher OA concentrations than did the Al‐sensitlve Romano. Aluminum stress reduced total OA levels in root extracts from Al‐sensltive Romano plants to a greater extent than in those of the Al‐tolerant Dade. Malic and citric acid concentrations were decreased more than those of the other organic acids examined. Results indicate that the Al‐tolerant Dade snapbean cultivar has a higher potential for Al‐chelation and detoxification than does the Al‐sensitive Romano. Hence, an Al‐chelation mechansism may be involved in differential Al tolerance within this species.     

Phosphorus Efficiency of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)

The ability of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) roots to acquire phosphorus (P) was characterized by investigating P uptake, morphological features, and chemical changes in the rhizosphere. Over a range of nutrient solution P concentrations (5–500 μmol · L^?1), maximum shoot growth was achieved with a P supply between 5 and 100 μmol · L^?1. Root weight and root length, as well as length and frequency of root hairs, were higher at low P levels. Root surface and the root surface/shoot dry weight ratio reached high values. Though P uptake rates were only moderate (0.15 pmol · cm^?1 root · sec^?1), shoot P concentrations were high (1.8% of dry weight with 100 μM P) predominantly being inorganic (80%). Phosphorus efficiency was characterized by a high specific absorption rate (810 mmol P · kg^?1 root dry wt · d^?1) rather than by an efficient utilization for dry weight production. Root exudates of low-P plants had lower pH values than exudates of high-P plants and increased the solubility of FePO₄ and MnO₂ to a greater extent. Amounts of exuded organic acids and phenolics were low and could not account for the observed solubilization of FePO₄ and MnO₂. Enhanced hydrolysis of glucose-6-phosphate by exudates from low-P plants was due to an increased “soluble” acid phosphatase activity, and root surface phosphatase activity was also slightly enhanced with P deficiency. In the rhizosphere soil of buckwheat, some depletion of organic P forms was observed, and in pot trials with quartz sand, buckwheat utilized glucose- 6-phosphate as a P source at the same rate as inorganic P.     

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of water‐soluble root exudates in relation to plant species and development

The composition of root‐derived substances is of great importance for the understanding of processes in the rhizosphere. Therefore, methods allowing a comprehensive collection and chemical analysis of the organic root exudates are necessary. In this study, we compare different methods with regard to their suitability to collect and characterize root exudates. Because the percolation or water logging method failed to quantitatively extract root exudates, a dipping method was developed which allowed an almost complete sampling of coldwater‐soluble root exudates. By ¹⁴CO₂ labeling of the shoots the composition of root exudates was found to be influenced by plant species and growth stage. In comparison to pea plants maize plants had a higher share of carboxylic acids and a lower share of sugars. Younger maize plants exuded considerably higher amounts of ¹⁴C labeled organic substances per g root dry matter than older ones. During plant development the relative amount of sugars decreased at the expense of carboxylic acids. The described methods are well suited for the elucidation of the influence of growth factors on root exudation.     

氮素对不同大豆品种根系分泌物中有机酸的影响

采用室内溶液培养方法,分别研究了接种根瘤菌处理下,两种氮源和两种氮浓度对两个大豆品种根系分泌物中有机酸的影响。结果表明,合丰25号根系分泌的有机酸种类和数量无论苗期或花期,接种或不接种根瘤菌,均表现为硝态氮处理高于酰胺态氮处理,表明合丰25号大豆更喜硝态氮,硝态氮促进了有机酸的分泌。绥农10号在酰胺态氮下的有机酸种类和数量均高于硝态氮处理,表明其更喜酰胺态氮,酰胺态氮下根瘤菌的存在增加其根系分泌物中有机酸种类和数量。可见,大豆根系分泌物中有机酸的种类和数量因品种而异,因品种对氮源的喜好而变化;根瘤菌在不同程度上增强或减弱根系有机酸的分泌作用。柠檬酸受氮素供应浓度影响很大,当氮素供应浓度较低时,大豆根系分泌物中可检测到柠檬酸,供氮浓度升高则检测不到。     

Influence of phosphate and hydroxyl ions on aluminum toxicity in soybeans and wheat

Aluminum (Al) toxicity to plants in complete nutrient solutions is difficult to relate to Al activity in solution because of precipitation and complexation. Aluminum toxicity was studied for two seedling crops, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell), at low levels (≤10 μM) in two incomplete nutrient solutions to study plant response to Al alone, Al+PO₄ ^3‐, Al+OH^‐, and Al+PO₄ ³‐+OH^‐. Relative root length was the bioassay for Al toxicity. ‘Monomeric’ Al was measured using Aluminon and both root length and measured Al were compared to the theoretical Al in solution predicted by the MINTEQA2 equilibrium model.

Low levels of Al were toxic to plant roots with sorghum showing a decrease in relative root length from 1 to 10 μM Al, and wheat showing a decrease from 4 to 10 μM. A mono‐salt background solution (400 μM CaCl₂) and a more complex base solution (CaCl₂, KNO₃, and MgCl₂) gave similar root lengths and measured Al values. Phosphate and hydroxyl ameliorated Al toxicity and lowered measured Al in solution, but not to the extent predicted by the model. Adding phosphate (PO₄ ^3‐) or hydroxyl (OH^‐) raised the pH, but again not as high as the model predicted. The difference in toxicity and measured Al were most likely the result of polymers (Al⁺³) which are toxic, but not measured by the procedure used, or included in the model which showed the Al as being removed from solution by precipitation.     

Uptake of Al,Ca, and P in black spruce seedlings: Effect of organic versus inorganic al in nutrient solutions.

Two-year old black spruce seedlings (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.) of greenhouse-grown paper-pot stock were subjected to chemically well-characterized nutrient solutions for 28 days to assess the elemental uptake (A1,P,Ca) of these plants in response to organic versus inorganic Al in the rooting medium (pH=3.0; 0 ≤ total Al ≤ 48 mg L^?1). Oxalate additions to the nutrient solutions (0 ≤ Ox ≤ 2.4 mmol) served as organic Al-complexing agent. The results indicated that the plants took up Al in proportion to the Al concentration of the rooting medium, with Al uptake from the Al-Ox treatments somewhat more extensive than the Al uptake from the inorganic Al treatments. Furthermore, root Al ? shoot Al for both cases. The pattern of P uptake was similar to that of Al uptake but for the roots only, i.e. root P was proportional to root Al.Increased root P was not associated with increased shoot P. Calcium content of the roots was slightly reduced with increased inorganic and organic Al, but increased strongly with increasing oxalate in the rooting medium.     

The excretion of citric and malic acid by proteoid roots of Lupinus albus L.; effects on soil solution concentrations of phosphate,iron, and aluminum in the proteoid rhizosphere in samples of an oxisol and a luvisol

Organic acid concentration in the proteoid rhizosphere of White Lupin in different soil samples (Oxisol-A_p = Ox, Luvisol-A_p and Luvisol-C = L_A and L_C) was determined in order to study the influence of root-released carboxylates on the mobilization of phosphate, aluminum, and iron in the rhizosphere. In the L_C, organic acids were accumulated as Casalts extractable with water. In the proteoid rhizosphere of this soil sample 55 μmol citrate and 8 μmol malate per g soil were found. In the Ox, no water extractable organic acids were present. However, determination of citrate in the solid phase of this soil by Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy gave concentrations of 88 and 68 μmol citrate per g soil without and with P application, respectively. Displaced soil solution from the proteoid root rhizosphere of the Ox and the L_A increased in Fe and Al concentrations from <50 μmol/L (soil from reference pots without plants) to more than 600 μmol Fe+Al/L. The concentration of P was increased by a factor of 2 despite of P uptake by the proteoid roots. The mobilization of Al, Fe, and P is attributed to ligand exchange of phosphate against citrate and to the solubilization of Al and Fe as carboxylate complexes.     

Plant rhizodeposition — an important source for carbon turnover in soils

The soil organic matter plays a key role in ecological soil functions, and has to be considered as an important CO₂ sink on a global scale. Apart from crop residues (shoots and roots), left over on the field after harvest, carbon and nitrogen compounds are also released by plant roots into the soil during vegetation, and undergo several transformation processes. Up to now the knowledge about amount, composition, and turnover of these root‐borne compounds is still very limited. So far it could be demonstrated with different plant species, that up to 20 % of photosynthetically fixed C are released into the soil during vegetation period. These C amounts are ecological relevant. Depending on assimilate sink strength during ontogenesis, the C release varies with plant age. A large percentage of these root‐borne substances were rapidly respired by microorganisms (64—86 %). About 2—5 % of net C assimilation was kept in soil. The root exudates of maize were mainly water‐soluble (79 %), and in this fraction about 64 % carbohydrates, 22 % amino acids/amides and 14 % organic acids could be identified. Plant species and in some cases also plant cultivars varied strongly in their root exudation pattern. Under non‐sterile conditions the exuded compounds were rapidly stabilized in water‐insoluble forms and bound preferably to the soil clay fraction. The binding of root exudates to soil particles also improved soil structure by increasing aggregate stability. Future research should focus on quantification and characterization of root‐borne C compounds during the whole plant ontogenesis. Apart from pot experiments with ¹⁴CO₂ labeling, it is necessary to conduct model field experiments with ¹³CO₂ labeling in order to be able to distinguish between CO₂ originating from the soil C pool and rhizosphere respiration, originating from plant assimilates. Such a separation is necessary to assess if soils are sources or sinks of CO₂. The incorporation of root‐borne C (¹⁴C, ¹³C) into soil organic matter of different stability is also of particular interest.     

Organic acids in root exudates and soil solution of Norway spruce and silver birch

Here we report on low molecular weight organic acids in root exudates and soil solutions of Norway spruce and silver birch grown in rhizoboxes, sterile microcosms and the field. Monocarboxylic acids dominated in all three experimental systems. Formic, shikimic and oxalic acids were found in both spruce and birch microcosms. Fumaric acid was exclusive for spruce, while lactic, malonic, butyric and phthalic acids were only found in the birch microcosms. In spruce rhizoboxes oxalic, lactic, formic, butyric and pthalic acids were found. In addition, citric, adipic, propionic, succinic and acetic acids were observed in the rhizosphere of birch. Behind root windows in the field, only oxalic and lactic acids were found in the rhizosphere of spruce fine roots, whereas also formic and phthalic were observed close to birch fine roots, all at low concentrations. The rhizosphere of mycorrhizal short roots of birch contained butyric acid along with the acids observed for birch fine roots. Our results emphasise that characteristics of both the trees e.g. species, developmental stage, root density, mycorrhizal status, and the experimental system, i.e. growth conditions are important for the composition and the amount of organic acids. We conclude that the rhizosphere of birch contains more organic acids at higher concentrations than spruce.     

Amino acids exuded from axenic roots of lettuce and white lupin seedlings exposed to different cadmium concentrations

The objective of this study was to evaluate if amino acids in roots and/or in root exudates play a role in cadmium (Cd) stress. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Reine de Mai) and white lupin (Lupinus albus L. cv. lublanc) were grown for 19 to 21 days with axenic roots in a hydroponic system. After treatment with various concentrations of Cd (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μM Cd) per nine days, roots and root exudates were collected. The stress did not result in significant dry weight (DW) differences between Cd‐treated and control plants, but Cd induced decreases in relative water content (RWC) and water potential (Pm). Amino acid levels and carbon (¹⁴C) incorporation into amino acids increased at low Cd concentrations in roots. However, 100 μM Cd induced a decrease of amino acid levels and an equally significant reduction of ¹⁴C incorporation, suggesting a decreased plant metabolism. Moreover, a higher Cd concentration induced increased levels of specific amino acids, for instance asparagine and lysine in lettuce and asparagine and hydroxylysine in lupin roots. Amino acids in root exudates corresponded less than 1% of the amounts found in root cells suggesting that amino acids could not be the major Cd chelators. Amino acid accumulation in root exudates differed than that found in roots except for asparagine. In conclusion, Cd induces in the root and root exudates increased levels of specific amino acids, such as Asn, Lys and HLys similarly to other environmental stresses. Although the amino acids could not participate in Cd chelation, lysine and its derivatives, such as hydroxylysine, could be used as stress markers for Cd in higher plants.     

Are Indicators for Critical Load Exceedance Related to Forest Condition?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of the (Ca?+?Mg?+?K)/Al and the Ca/Al ratios in soil solution as chemical criteria for forest condition in critical load calculations for forest ecosystems. The tree species Norway spruce, Sitka spruce and beech were studied in an area with high deposition of sea salt and nitrogen in the south-western part of Jutland, Denmark. Throughfall and soil water were collected monthly and analysed for pH, NO₃-N, NH₄-N, K, Ca, Mg, DOC and Al_tot. Organic Al was estimated using DOC concentrations. Increment and defoliation were determined annually, and foliar element concentrations were determined every other year. The throughfall deposition was highest in the Sitka spruce stand (maximum of 40 kg N ha^?1yr^?1) and lowest in the beech stand (maximum of 11 kg N ha^?1yr^?1). The Sitka spruce stand leached on average 12 kg N ha^?1yr^?1 during the period 1988–1997 and leaching increased throughout the period. Only small amounts of N were leached from the Norway spruce stand whereas almost no N was leached from the beech stand. For all tree species, both (Ca?+?Mg?+?K)/Al and Ca/Al ratios decreased in soil solution at 90 cm depth between 1989 and 1999, which was mainly caused by a decrease in concentrations of base cations. The toxic inorganic Al species were by far the most abundant Al species at 90 cm depth. At the end of the measurement period, the (Ca?+?Mg?+?K)/Al ratio was approximately 1 for all species while the Ca/Al ratio was approximately 0.2. The lack of a trend in the increment rates, a decrease in defoliation as well as sufficient levels of Mg and Ca in foliage suggested an unchanged or even slightly improved health condition, despite the decreasing and very low (Ca?+?Mg?+?K)/Al and Ca/Al ratios. The suitability of these soil solution element ratios is questioned as the chemical criteria for soil acidification under field conditions in areas with elevated deposition rates of sea salts, in particular Mg.     

A novel method for separating root‐derived organic compounds from root respiration in non‐sterilized soils

A novel method of separating exudates from root respiration in non‐sterilized soils has been developed. The method is based on a simultaneous elution of exudates from rhizosphere and the blowout of CO₂ originating from root respiration. The innovation of the method lies in the function of a membrane pump to drive the movement of air and simultaneously the circulation of water according to the Siphon principle. The separation method was tested by means of ¹⁴C pulse labeling of Lolium perenne to track the C dynamics in the production of rhizosphere CO₂ and of exudates, which were eluted. The total ¹⁴C activity of rhizosphere CO₂ and of eluted exudates was found to be 8.5 % and 2.3 % of total assimilated ¹⁴C, respectively. Thus, at least 19 % of root‐derived C can be accounted to root exudation. However, the suggested Siphon method underestimates the amount of exudates and shows only a minimum of organic substances exuded by roots. The diurnal dynamics of exudation was detected, but no significant day‐night changes were measured in root and microbial respiration. Tight coupling of assimilation with exudation, but not with root and microbial respiration, was observed. The advantages, shortcomings, and possible applications of the Siphon method are discussed.     

Quantification of long‐chain fatty acids in dissolved organic matter and soils

The objective was to develop and adapt a versatile analytical method for the quantification of solvent extractable, saturated long‐chain fatty acids in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Fulvic (FA) and humic (HA) acids, dissolved organic matter (DOM) in water, as well as organic matter in whole soils (SOM) of different horizons were investigated. The proposed methodology comprised extraction by dichloromethane/acetone and derivatization with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and library searches. The C_10:0 to C_34:0 methyl esters of n‐alkyl fatty acids were used as external standards for calibration. The total concentrations of C_14:0 to C_28:0 n‐alkyl fatty acids were determined in DOM obtained by reverse‐osmosis of Suwannee river water (309.3 μg g^—1), in freeze‐dried brown lake water (180.6 μg g^—1), its DOM concentrate (93.0 μg g^—1), humic acid (43.1 μg g^—1), and fulvic acid (42.5 μg g^—1). The concentrations of the methylated fatty acids (n‐C_16:0 to n‐C_28:0) were significantly (r² = 0.9999) correlated with the proportions of marker signals (% total ion intensity (TII), m/z 256 to m/z 508) in the corresponding pyrolysis‐field ionization (FI) mass spectra. The concentrations of terrestrial C_10:0 to C_34:0 n‐alkyl fatty acids from four soil samples ranged from 0.02 μg g^—1 to 11 μg g^—1. The total concentrations of the extractable fatty acids were quantified from a Podzol Bh horizon (26.2 μg g^—1), Phaeozem Ap unfertilized (48.1 μg g^—1), Phaeozem Ap fertilized (57.7 μg g^—1), and Gleysol Ap (66.7 μg g^—1). Our results demonstrate that the method is well suited to investigate the role of long‐chain fatty acids in humic fractions, whole soils and their particle‐size fractions and can be serve for the differentiation of plant growth and soil management.     

Biogeochemistry of aluminum in a forest catchment in the Czech Republic impacted by atmospheric inputs of strong acids

The Lysina catchment in the Czech Republic was studied to investigate the biogeochemical response of Al to high loadings of acidic deposition. The catchment supports Norway spruce plantations and is underlain by granite and podzolic soil. Atmospheric deposition to the site was characterized by high H⁺ and SO₄ ^2– fluxes in throughfall. The volume-weighted average concentration of total Al (Al_t) was 28 mol L^–1 in the O horizon soil solution. About 50% of Al_t in the O horizon was in the form of potentially-toxic inorganic monomeric Al (Al_i). In the E horizon, Al_t increased to 71 mol L^–1, and Al_i comprised 80% of Al_t. The concentration of Al_t (120 mol L^–1) and the fraction of Al_i (85%) increased in the lower mineral soil due to increases in Al_i and decreases in organic monomeric Al (Al_o). Shallow ground water was less acidic and had lower Al_t concentration (29 mol L^–1). The volume-weighted average concentration of Al_t was extremely high in stream water (60 mol L^–1) with Al_i accounting for about 60% of Al_t. The major species of Al_i in stream water were fluorocomplexes (Al-F) and aquo Al³⁺. Soil solutions in the root zone were undersaturated with respect to all Al-bearing mineral phases. However, stream water exhibited Al_i concentrations close to solubility with jurbanite. Acidic waters and elevated Al concentrations reflected the limited supply of basic cations on the soil exchange complex and slow weathering, which was unable to neutralize atmospheric inputs of strong acids.     

Suitability of the aluminon technique for measuring phytotoxic aluminum in solutions with varying sulfate concentrations

Abstract

Considerable uncertainty prevails concerning a suitable measure that can adequately describe Al phytotoxicity in nutrient and soil solutions. A study was conducted to evaluate the ability of a modified aluminon technique to discriminate between phytotoxic and non‐phytotoxic Al in solutions containing 80 μM Al with varying levels of CaSO₄(625 to 10000 μM), at two pH levels (4.2 and 4.8). The concentration of Al measured by the modified aluminon technique ranged from 18.3 to 77.7 μM,thereby indicating substantial polymerization in some of the solutions. The greatest amount of polymerization occurred at pH 4.8 in the presence of 625 μM CaSO₄. Increasing additions of CaSO₄resulted in an increase in predicted activity of AlSO₄ ⁺at both pH levels. However, with increasing addition of CaSO₄, the predicted activity of Al³⁺decreased at pH 4.2 or remained relatively constant at pH 4.8. The relationship between the sum of predicted activities of monomeric Al (Sa_{Al mono.}) in solution and tap root length of soybean [Glvcine max(L.) Merr.] cv. Lee was extremely poor, thereby indicating the inability of the modified aluminon technique to measure phytotoxic Al in solutions employed in the current study. This difficulty was due to failure of the modified aluminon technique to exclude lesser phytotoxic AlSO₄ ⁺species. The activity of Al³⁺was closely related to tap root length (R²= 0.865). The prediction of root length response to Al was further improved (R²= 0.899) by considering the solution Al index as: S[3a_A13+ + 2a_Al(OH)2+ + a_A1(OH)+]. There was a poor relationship between tap root length and the concentration of polymeric Al, thus suggesting the lower phytotoxicity of this component under the prevailing solution conditions.     

Root Exudates of Rice Cultivars Affect Rhizospheric Phosphorus Dynamics in Soils with Different Phosphorus Statuses

Exudation of organic acids by the roots of three rice cultivars grown in three soils of different phosphorus (P) statuses, and their impacts on the rhizospheric P dynamics and P uptake by the rice plants, were investigated. Quantum root exudates from all the rice cultivars were significantly greater at 21 days after transplantation than at panicle initiation or flowering stages. Malic acid was the most predominant organic acid present in the rice root exudates (10.3 to 89.5 μmol plant^?1 d^?1), followed by tartaric, citric, and acetic acids. Greater exudation of organic acids from rice grown in P-deficient soil by all the rice cultivars suggested response of rice plant to P stress. Results indicate that the release of organic acids in the root exudates of rice plants can extract P from strongly adsorbed soil P fraction, thereby increasing native soil P utilization efficiency and ensuring adequate P nutrition for the growing rice plants.     

Calcium alleviation of hydrogen and aluminum inhibition of soybean root extension from limed soil into acid subsurface solutions

Alleviation by calcium (Ca) of inhibition of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. ‘Ransom'] root elongation by hydrogen (H) and aluminum (Al) was evaluated in a vertical split‐root system. Roots extending from a limed and fertilized soil compartment grew for 12 days into a subsurface compartment containing nutrient solution with treatments consisting of factorial combinations of either pH (4.0, 4.6, and 5.5) and Ca (0.2, 2.0, 10, and 20 mM), Al (7.5, 15, and 30 μM) and Ca (2.0,10, and 20 mM) at pH 4.6, or Ca (2, 7, and 12 mM) levels and counter ions (SO₄ and Cl) at pH 4.6 and 15 μM Al. Length of tap roots and their laterals increased with solution Ca concentration and pH value, but decreased with increasing Al level. Length of both tap and lateral roots were greater when Ca was supplied as CaSO₄ than as CaCl₂, but increasing Ca concentration from 2 to 12 mM had a greater effect on alleviating Al toxicity than Ca source. In the absence of Al, relative root length (RRL) of tap and lateral roots among pH and Ca treatments was related to the Ca:H molar activity ratio of solutions (R²≥0.82). Tap and lateral RRL among solutions with variable concentrations of Al and Ca at pH 4.6 were related to both the sum of the predicted activities of monomeric Al (R²≥0.92) and a log‐transformed and valence‐weighted balance between activities of Ca and selected monomeric Al species (R²≥0.95). In solutions with 15 μM Al at pH 4.6, response of tap and lateral RRL to variable concentrations of CaSO₄ and CaCl₂ were related to predicted molar activity ratios of both Ca:Al³⁺ (R²≥0.89) and Ca:3 monomeric Al (R²≥0.90), provided that AISO₄ and AI(SO₄)₂ species were excluded from the latter index. In all experiments H and Al inhibited length of lateral roots more than tap roots, and a greater Ca:H or Ca:Al concentration ratio was required in solutions to achieve similar RRL values as tap roots.     

Effect of aluminum on variations in the proteins in pineapple roots

Abstract

Aluminum (Al) is biotoxic, often active in acid soil and retards the growth of crop roots. Cayenne is a type of pineapple cultivar that can be well cultivated in a strongly acid environment containing AlCl₃ concentrations up to 300?μmol?L^?1. In addition to organic acids, variations in the proteins in root apices are regarded as the mechanism involved in Al resistance. The objective of the present study was to explore the responsive proteins of Al stress in a known Al-resistant pineapple cultivar (i.e. Cayenne). After root emergence, pineapple seedlings were exposed to hydroponic solutions each containing 0 and 300?μmol?L^?1 AlCl₃ for 4?weeks. The total proteins in the root apices were separated using 2-D electrophoresis and a total of 17 apparently differential spots were identified by mass spectrometry, with 10 upregulated and seven downregulated proteins. The root apices of Cayenne under Al stress could be characterized by cellular activities involved in, for example, carbohydrate metabolism, organic acid production, energy metabolism, alleviating redox damage and root phenotypical change, which are critical for plant survival under Al toxicity. In contrast, there are one hypothetical and three unknown proteins that play unknown roles in Al resistance and warrant further investigation. The present study may provide an important clue to future proteomic research on Al-resistant mechanisms in pineapple.