Boron amelioration of aluminum toxicity in mungbean seedlings

Boron (B) amelioration of aluminum (Al) toxicity was studied for growth of mungbean (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.) seedlings and cuttings (without roots) in a growth chamber. Mungbean seedlings and cuttings were grown in the solution with combinations of three concentrations of B (0,5, and 50 μM) and three concentrations of Al (0, 2, and 5 mM) in randomized complete block design experiments for 16 days. Results showed that B significantly promoted elongation of epicotyls and hypocotyls, and increased height of seedlings grown under Al stress. Boron also increased fresh weight of seedlings in high Al solution. Treatment of plants grown with high B and Al stress had no apparent effect on fresh and dry weights of seedling roots. Seedling dry weight increased significantly by adding high B to solutions with 2 mM or 5 mM Al. No significant differences were observed between the high B treatment and the control (normal B, 5 μM) in lengths of epicotyls and fresh and dry weights of mungbean cuttings grown under Al stress. High concentrations of B decreased soluble protein and increased chlorophyll in seedlings treated with 2 mM Al. Boron had no amelioration effect on cuttings grown with Al, although Al increased soluble protein. Our results suggested that B alleviation of Al toxicity was related to root function and Al toxicity may possibly be due, in part, to B deficiency.     

Effect of varying solution calcium or magnesium concentrations in the presence or absence of aluminum on yield and plant calcium or magnesium concentrations in wheat

The effect of varying solution calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations in the absence or presence of 10 μM aluminum (Al) was investigated in several experiments using a low ionic strength (2.7 × 10^‐3 M) solution culture technique. Aluminium‐tolerant and Al‐sensitive lines of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were grown. In the absence of Al, top yields decreased when solution Ca concentrations were <50 μM or plant Ca concentrations were <2.0 mg/g. Top and root yields decreased when solution Mg concentrations were <50 μM or plant Mg concentrations were <1.5 mg/g. There were no differences between the lines in solution or plant concentrations at which yield declined. Increasing solution Ca concentrations decreased plant Mg concentrations in the tops (competitive ion effect) but increased plant Mg concentrations in the roots of wheat. This suggests that Ca is competing with Mg when Mg is transported from the roots. Increasing solution Mg concentrations decreased plant Ca concentrations in the tops and the roots (competitive ion effect). In the roots, increasing solution Mg concentrations decreased plant Ca concentrations at a lower solution Ca concentration in the Al‐sensitive line than the Al‐tolerant line. In the presence of Al, increasing solution Ca and Mg concentrations increased yield (Ca and Mg ameliorating Al toxicity). Yield increased until the sum of the solution concentrations of the divalent cations (Ca+Mg) was 2,000 μM for the Al‐tolerant line or 4,000 μM for the Al‐sensitive line. The exception was that yield decreased when solution Mg concentrations were > 1,500 μM and the solution Ca concentration was 100 μM (Mg exacerbating Al toxicity). The ameliorative effects of solution Ca or Mg on Al tolerance were not related to plant Ca or Mg concentrations per se.     

Tall fescue aluminum tolerance is affected by neotyphodium coenophialum endophyte

Roots of endophyte‐infected (E+) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) exude more phenolic‐like reductants than roots of endophyte‐free (E‐) plants when mineral stressed. Phenolic compounds are efficient chelators of aluminum (Al) and may influence Al tolerance in many plant species. The objective of our study was to determine if enhanced release of phenolic compounds by roots of E+ plants contributes to Al tolerance in tall fescue. Two cloned genotypes (DN2 and DN11) of tall fescue infected with their naturally occurring fungal endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum (Morgan‐Jones and Gams) Glenn, Bacon and Hanlin and their noninfected isolines were grown in nutrient solutions at 0 μM Al (Al‐) and at 640 μM Al (Al+) under controlled environment conditions. Root and shoot dry matter (DM) of endophyte‐infected tall fescue was greater in E+ than E‐ plants by 57% and 40%, respectively, when plants were grown without Al. Endophyte infection did not affect root and shoot DM of tall fescue grown with Al but relative (to Al‐treatment) reduction in root and shoot DM was greater in E+ than E‐ plants. In response to Al stress, more Al (47%) and P (49%) could be desorbed from root surfaces of E+ than E‐ plants. Aluminum concentrations in roots of E+ plants were 35% greater and P concentrations were 10% less than those determined in roots of E‐plants. No differences in mineral concentrations were observed in shoots, regardless of endophyte status, or Al level in nutrient solution. Roots of E+ plants increased pH of both Al‐ and Al+ nutrient solutions to a greater extent than roots of E‐ plants in a 48 h interval. Our results show that more Al can be sequestered on root surfaces and in root tissues of endophyte‐infected tall fescue than in plants devoid of endophyte. Aluminum sequestration was greater on root surfaces and in root tissues of E+ than E‐ plants of a given tall fescue genotype. Our results suggest that increased exudation of phenolic‐like compounds from roots of endophyte‐infected tall fescue may be directly involved in Al tolerance and serves as a mechanism for widespread adaptability and success of endophyte‐tall fescue associations.     

Cadmium effects on influx and transport of mineral nutrients in plant species

Solution culture experiments were conducted under controlled environmental conditions to determine the effects of cadmium(II) [Cd(II)] activity (0, 8, 14, 28, 42, and 54 μM) on influx (IN) into roots and transport (TR) from roots to shoots of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) in ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), maize (Zea mays L.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.), and cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.). Shoot and root dry matter (DM) decreased with increased external Cd, and plant species differed extensively. Ryegrass and cabbage were relatively tolerant to Cd toxicity compared to white clover and maize. Influx and TR of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ca, and Mg were lower with increasing external Cd compared to controls, and species also differed. Influx and TR of P were enhanced in each species with up to 14 μM Cd, decreased in white clover and cabbage at higher Cd levels, while in maize and ryegrass continued to increase as Cd increased. Influx and TR of S were high in white clover at 8 μM Cd and decreased as Cd increased. Influx of S was high in ryegrass, but TR of S remained relatively constant as Cd increased. Influx and TR of S did not significantly change in maize, but decreased in cabbage as Cd increased. With Cd up to 14 μM, decreases in both IN and TR of Zn, Fe, Mn, Ca, and Mg were greater in white clover than in cabbage. Sensitivity of the dicotyledonous plant species to Cd toxicity might have been associated with Cd effects on IN and TR of Fe, Mn, Ca, and Mg. However, differences in plant sensitivities to Cd toxicity between ryegrass and maize were not reflected in Cd effects on IN and TR of mineral nutrients.     

Differential response of citrus rootstocks to aluminum levels in nutrient solutions: II. Plant mineral concentrations 2

The objective of this study was to determine relations between Al effects and mineral concentrations in citrus seedlings. Six‐month‐old seedlings of five citrus rootstocks were grown for 60 days in supernatant nutrient solutions of Al, P, and other nutrients. The solutions contained seven levels of Al ranging from 4 to 1655 μM. Al and similar P concentrations of 28 μM P. Aluminum concentrations in roots and shoots increased with increasing Al concentration in the nutrient solution. Aluminum concentrations in roots of Al‐tolerant rootstocks were higher than those of Al‐sensitive rootstocks. When Al concentrations in nutrient solution increased from 4 to 178 μM, the K, Mg, and P concentrations in roots and the K and P levels in shoots increased. Conversely, Ca, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe in the roots and Ca, Mg, Cu, and Fe in the shoots decreased. The more tolerant rootstocks contained higher Fe concentrations in their roots than did the less tolerant ones when Al concentrations in solution were lower than 308 μM. Concentrations of other elements (Ca, K, P, Mg, Zn, and Mn) in roots or shoots exhibited no apparent relationship to the Al tolerance for root or shoot growth of the rootstocks. Calcium, K, Zn, Mn, and Fe concentrations in roots and Mg and K concentrations in shoots of all five rootstocks seedlings had significant negative correlations with Al concentrations in corresponding roots or shoots.     

Effect of recurrent selection for aluminum tolerance on shoot morphology and chemical content of white clover

This study compares the effect of aluminum (Al) on the shoot morphology, root distribution and plant chemical content of selections made for Al tolerance and an unselected population of Huia white clover (Trifolium repens L.). Seedlings from the two seed sources were sown into trays of soil to which had been added 400 μg Al/g soil as aluminum sulphate. The two seed sources were, (1) progeny from a polycross of genotypes previously selected for Al tolerance from the cultivar Huia and, (2) a previously unselected accession of Huia. After selection of genotypes capable of producing large shoots when grown in soil containing 400 μg g^‐1 added Al, plants were grown in artificial soil profiles where soil Al content increased with depth. Selections from first generation Al‐tolerant germplasm were smaller leaved, with more leaves per unit length of stolon, with larger stolons, heavier shoots and a slightly deeper root distribution, but lower root/shoot ratio than selections from previously unselected germplasm. The proportion of root weight below 100 mm (i.e., the proportion of root growing in Al‐toxic soil) was poorly related to other characters measured. From an analysis over all 100 genotypes tested, proportion of root weight below 100 mm was significantly (P <0.05) but weakly (r=0.19) correlated with shoot [potassium/(calcium + magnesium) (K/(Ca + Mg))] ratio. Selection for Al tolerance in white clover can cause associated changes in other plant characters.     

Plant tolerance to nickel toxicity: II nickel effects on influx and transport of mineral nutrients in four plant species

Nickel (Ni) is an essential micronutrient for higher plants but is toxic to plants at excess levels. Plant species differ extensively for mineral uptake and accumulation, and these differences often help explain plant tolerances to mineral toxicities/deficiencies. Solution culture experiments were conducted under controlled conditions to determine the effects of Ni on influx into roots (IN) and transport from roots to shoots (TR) of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) in white clover (Trifolium repens L.), cabbage (ßrassica oleracea van capitata L.), ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and maize (Zea mays L.). Nickel decreased both IN and TR of Zn, Cu, Ca, and Mg, but only TR of Fe and Mn in white clover. Both IN and TR of Cu, Fe, Mn, Mg, and S were markedly decreased by Ni >30 μM in cabbage, whereas IN and TR of P increased with Ni treatment. For ryegrass, TR of Cu, Fe, Mn, Ca, and Mg was decreased, but IN of these elements except Mg was not affected by Ni. The IN and TR of P and S were increased in ryegrass with increasing external Ni levels. Nickel inhibited IN of Cu, Ca, and Mg, and TR of Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ca, and Mg in maize. Plant species differed in response to Ni relative to IN and TR of mineral nutrients. Plant tolerance to Ni toxicity was associated with the influence of Ni on IN and TR of Cu, Fe, and Mn in white clover and cabbage but not in maize and ryegrass.     

Assessing the relative effects of hydrogen and aluminum ions on primary root growth of white clover seedlings

White clover (Trifolium repens L., cultivar Huia), a dominant forage legume in Appalachia, usually grows poorly on acidic soils common to the region. The effects of bulk solution concentrations of calcium (Ca), hydrogen (H), and aluminum (Al) on the relative root growth (RRG) of white clover were determined using one‐ to three‐day‐old seedlings to assess the relative toxicity of H⁺ and Al. The RRG was affected by bulk solution concentrations of Ca, Al, and pH, in a manner indicative of significant interactions among these parameters. The RRG was directly related to the activities of Al³⁺ or H⁺ at the surface of the root as calculated by the Gouy‐Chapman‐Stern model. Fifty percent inhibition of RRG occurred at activities of 5 and 200 μM Al³⁺ and H⁺, respectively. A large part of the interaction between bulk solution concentrations of Ca, Al, and H could be explained by how these parameters affected the activities of these ions at the root surface.     

Effect of root hair length on aluminium tolerance in white clover

The aluminium (Al) tolerance of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) lines that had either long or short root hair lengths were evaluated in low ionic strength (2.7 x 10^‐3 M) solution culture. Absolute yield of the long root hair length plants was greater than the short root hair length plants at all Al rates by, on average, 34%. However, increasing root hair length had no significant (P<0.05) effect on relative Al tolerance.     

Effects of chitin amendment of soil on microorganisms,nematodes, and growth of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Effects of soil amendment with crabshell chitin on the growth of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and on populations of soil bacteria, fungi, and plant-parasitic and free-living nematodes were investigated in a pot trial. Five soil samples were collected from Te Puke (Paengaroa Shallow Sand, a Typic Hapludand) and five from Hamilton (Bruntwood silt loam, an Aquic Hapludand), New Zealand. Subsamples of each soil were either amended with chitin or unamended and planted with white clover and ryegrass. The ryegrass shoot weight in amended soil was greater (P<0.01), most probably due to N mineralised from chitin. A significantly lower (P<0.01) root: shoot ratio of ryegrass in the amended soil also suggested improved N availability, and therefore less root mass was needed to support a given shoot mass. A reduction in nodulation was observed in 12-day-old white clover seedlings (P<0.05) and also in 6-week-old seedlings (P<0.01). The shoot weight of white clover was significantly lower (P<0.05) in amended soil, possibly due to phytotoxic effects of chitin. Chitin increased (P<0.01) the populations of bacteria and fungi by 13-fold and 2.5-fold, respectively. The cyst nematode of white clover, Heterodera trifolii, was significantly reduced in chitin-amended soil, possibly due to increased levels of chitinase produced by rhizosphere microorganisms. Two other plant-parasitic nematodes, Pratylenchus spp. and Tylenchus spp., were also reduced in ryegrass roots and in soil as a result of the chitin amendment. However, the total number of free-living nematodes increased 5.4-fold in amended soil.     

Growth and Ca,Mg, K,and P uptake by triticale,wheat, and rye at four al levels

This study was conducted to determine relationships between Al toxicity and mineral uptake of triticale (X Triticosecale, Wittmack), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and rye (Secale cereale L.). Two culti‐vars of each species were grown in 1/5‐strength Steinberg solution with 0, 3, 6, or 12 ppm Al added. The solutions were adjusted to pH 4.8 at transplanting and were not adjusted thereafter. The plants were grown in a growth chamber for 19 days before harvesting to determine nutrient solution pH, dry weights, and Al, Ca, Mg, K, and P levels in plants. Increasing Al concentration reduced the final pH of solutions. The addition of 12 ppm Al severely reduced the growth and increased Al concentration of plant tops. The Al levels in roots generally increased with increments of added Al up to 6 ppm. Increasing Al decreased the uptake of Ca, Mg, and P by plant tops more than that of K. Regression analyses indicated that Al toxicity was associated with increasing K/Ca + Mg equivalent ratios and decreasing P concentration in plant tops. Differences between species were: higher Al concentration in rye than wheat with 6 and 12 ppm Al, higher translocation of Ca from roots to tops in wheat than in rye and Mg in triticale and wheat than rye; K/Ca + Mg equivalent ratios associated with 50% reduction in top growth followed the order: triticales > tolerant wheat > sensitive wheat > rye. Differences in mineral uptake associated with Al toxicity in wheat were more indicative of differential Al sensitivity in wheat than in triticale and rye which have higher internal Al tolerance.     

Phosphate,Fe and Mn uptake of N2 fixing red clover and ryegrass from an Oxisol as affected by P and model humic substances application. 2. Phosphate and aluminum species distribution as modified by plant roots

In a previous paper we reported that model humic substances (0–50 mg kg^?1 soil) increased P-, Fe-, and AI-solubility as well as P uptake of red clover and ryegrass on a strongly P-fixing soil. In this paper P- and Al-species calculations under equilibrium assumptions were conducted to determine the species which were mobilized by the humics and red clover root exudates. Phosphate distribution between free ortho-P and humic-Al-P complexes was calculated by an iterative procedure. In the soil without plants more than 50% of P in solution was present as humic associated P even at the lowest humic level. In soil under ryegrass the proportion of humic-P complexes was much lower due to the relatively low concentrations of humic-Al complexes in solution. In soil under red clover, between 55 and more than 84% of P in solution were present as humic-P. This increase compared to soil without plants or with ryegrass is caused by the high concentrations of humic-Al complexes in solution. The higher P-influx of red clover compared to ryegrass and P species distribution indicate that red clover can take up P from solubilized humic-P complexes. Aluminum species calculations showed that, even at the lowest level of humics addition, more than 60% of Al was complexed by the humics in soil without plants. The proportion of Al complexed by humics increased to about 90% at the highest level of humics addition. In soil under ryegrass cover, the proportion of humic-Al complexes was lower, not exceeding 73% due to the reduced solubility of humic substances. In contrast, higher humics concentrations in soil solution under red clover increased the proportion of humic-Al complexes to more than 80% of total Al even at the lowest humic level. It was concluded that the strong complexation of Al by the humics in the soil solution under red clover reduces Al toxicity.     

Interaction between zinc deficiency and boron toxicity on growth and mineral nutrition of sour orange seedlings

Sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) seedlings were grown for 3 months in diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA)‐buffered nutrient solutions to study the effect of Zn stress on the plants’ sensitivity to high boron concentration in the root environment. There were three zinc treatments: 21 μM Zn (LOW Zn‐DTPA), 69 μM Zn (NORMAL Zn‐DTPA) in the nutrient solution, or 12 weekly foliar sprays with ZnSO₄ (FOLIAR‐Zn). In the FOLIAR‐Zn treatment, the nutrient solution contained 21 μM Zn. Zn activities calculated with a chemical equilibrium model, Geochem PC, and expressed as pZn=‐log(Zn⁺²), were 10.2 and 9.7 in the LOW Zn‐DTPA and NORMAL Zn‐DTPA nutrient solutions, respectively. One half of the plants in each Zn treatment were grown in 51 μM B (NORMAL‐B) and the other half in 200 μM B (HIGH‐B) nutrient solution. Seedlings grown in LOW Zn‐DTPA/NORMAL‐B nutrient solution developed Zn deficiency symptoms such as: reduced shoot growth, small and chlorotic leaves, and white roots with visibly shorter and thicker laterals than in Zn sufficient plants. The HIGH‐B treatment decreased shoot growth, leaf and stem dry weight, leaf area, and induced severe leaf B toxicity on seedlings grown in the LOW Zn‐DTPA nutrient solution but the effect was either absent or less pronounced in the NORMAL Zn‐DTPA or FOLIAR‐Zn treatments. Seedlings in the LOW Zn‐DTPA FOLIAR‐Zn treatments but they had lower B concentration on a whole plant basis indicating less B uptake per unit of dry weight. The FOLIAR‐Zn and NORMAL Zn‐DTPA treatments were equally effective in alleviating leaf B toxicity symptoms. The FOLIAR‐Zn treatment, however, was less effective than the NORMAL Zn‐DTPA treatment in alleviating the deleterious effect of high B on leaf dry weight even though the B concentrations in leaves, stems, and roots of the foliar‐sprayed seedlings were similar to the NORMAL Zn‐DTPA seedlings. Leaf concentrations of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, mangenese, and copper were within the optimal range for citrus with the exception of Ca which was low. Although B and particularly Zn treatments modified the concentration of some of these elements in leaves and roots, these changes were too small to explain the observed growth responses. The observation that B toxicity symptoms in Zn‐deficient citrus could be mitigated with Zn applications is of potential practical importance as B toxicity and Zn deficiency are simultaneously encountered in some soils of semiarid zones.     

Influence of phosphorus nutrition on sulfur uptake by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae of onion

Mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal onions were grown in pots containing soil at two P concentrations. Following ³⁵S injection into the soil, both mycorrhiza) and non-mycorrhizal plants from high P treatments had significantly higher ³⁵S concentrations in roots compared to non-mycorrhizal, low P controls. Mycorrhizal, low P plants had higher concentrations of ³⁵S in shoots than did non-mycorrhizal, low P plants. In a second experiment detached non-mycorrhizal onion roots from plants given a nutrient solution containing P for 26 days before short-term uptake experiments absorbed at greater rates from solution than roots from plants given a complete minus-P nutrient solution. This occurred at all three concentrations of S tested. 1 mM. 10μM, and 0.1 μM. Increased S uptake by mycorrhizal plants can result from increased S absorbing power of roots with enhanced P status.     

Effects of alumumium on nutrient composition and yield of oats

Spotty chlorosis appeared on the young leaves of Al toxic plants and was severe or high Al level. Stems of the Al‐treated plants were purple While the roots were short, thick and brown in colour with little branching.

The dry matter yield of tops and roots decreased with increased Al level. The concentration of P was greater in roots of Al toxic plants than in the control plants but a converse affect was recorded in tops.

Increased rates of Al caused a decrease in the concentrations of P,K,Ca, M_c and Mn in plant tops, while Al concentration increased both in tops and roots. Iron content in tops affected with increased Al and in root a regular increase was observed. The results indicate that Al toxicity depressed the growth of oats, resulted in abnormal root development with tittle branching and affecting the utilization of several essential plant nutrients by oat plant.     

Effects of aluminum source and level,nutrient solution ph and tissue age on elemental concentrations in ryegrass

Abstract

Recent studies have indicated that A1 concentrations in excess of 1000 μg/g have occurred in grass species susceptible to Al toxicity, although other studies have suggested that high Al concentrations were the result of soil contamination. Our objectives were to determine the effect of Al source, Al level, nutrient solution pH, and tissue age on elemental concentrations in ryegrass.

An experiment was conducted in which ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) cv ‘Gulf grown in nutrient solution at pH 5 and 6 received 0 Al or 100 and 500 μg Al/ml as Al‐sulfate and as NaAl‐citrate. Plant shoots were harvested 35 and 42 days after planting. Where nutrient solution pH was adjusted daily to pH 5 or 6, highest forage Al concentrations averaged only 295 μg/g. Where pH was not adjusted, highest Al concentrations averaged over 2000 μg/g. Plants having Al concentrations above 500 μg/g showed visible signs of Al toxicity. Source and level of Al in the nutrient solution, initial nutrient solution pH, and age of tissue at harvest had little effect on other elemental concentrations in the ryegrass.     

Rare earth elements and plant growth: II. Responses of corn and mungbean to low concentrations of lanthanum in dilute,continuously flowing nutrient solutions.

Corn (Zea mays cv. Hycorn 82) and mungbean (Vigna radiata cv. Berken) plants were grown for 14 d in dilute nutrient solutions containing constant lanthanum (La) concentrations from 0 to 1.37 μM. Solutions were maintained at pH 4.5 to prevent precipitation of La. Lanthanum at 0.63 μM increased the root growth of corn by 36% and 0.19 μM La increased mungbean root growth by 21% relative to controls. However, no beneficial effects of La on the total dry matter yield of either plant species were demonstrated; that of corn was unaffected, whilst that of mungbean was reduced by over 30% at solution La concentrations greater than 0.19 μM.

Roots of both plant species accumulated 20 to 150 times higher concentrations of La than the shoots. The highest La concentrations in roots were 1775 mg/kg in corn and 2955 mg/kg in mungbean. Where La was added to the nutrient solutions, concentrations of La in the shoots ranged from 9 to 16 mg/kg for corn and from 34 to 52 mg/kg for mungbean. The oldest leaves of both plant species accumulated higher La concentrations than found in the remainder of the shoots. Both plant species demonstrated an ability to restrict the uptake of La into the shoots, as the concentrations of La in the shoots increased only slowly with increasing concentrations of La in the roots and in the nutrient solution. The data suggest critical shoot and root La concentrations of the order of 34 and 775 mg/kg respectively, for toxicity in mungbean. Critical La concentrations for toxicity in corn must be grsater than 16 mg/kg in shoots and 1775 mg/kg in roots.     

Effects of Nickel on Growth and Composition of Metal Micronutrients in Barley Plants Grown in Nutrient Solution

Abstract

A hydroponic experiment was conducted in a phytotron at pH 5.5 to study the effects of nickel (Ni) on the growth and composition of metal micronutrients, such as copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Minorimugi). Four Ni treatments were conducted (0, 1.0, 10, and 100 μM) for 14 d. Plants grown in 100 μM Ni showed typical visual symptoms of Ni toxicity such as chlorosis, necrosis of leaves, and browning of the root system, while other plants were free from any symptoms. Dry weights were the highest in plants grown in 1.0 μM Ni, with a corresponding increase in the chlorophyll index of the plants, suggesting that 1.0～10 μM Ni needs to be added to the nutrient solution for optimum growth of barley plants. The increase of Ni in the nutrient solutions increased the concentrations of Cu and Fe in roots, while a decrease was observed in shoots. The concentrations of Mn and Zn in shoots and roots of plants decreased with increasing Ni supply in the nutrient solution. Shoot concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in plants grown at 100 μ M Ni were below the critical levels for deficiency. Plants grown at 1.0 μ M Ni accumulated higher amounts of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn, indicating that nutrient accumulation in plants was more influenced by dry weights than by nutrient concentrations. The translocation of Cu and Fe from roots to shoots was repressed, while that of Mn and Zn was not repressed with increasing Ni concentration in the nutrient solution.     

Germanium accumulation and toxicity in barley

The accumulation of germanium (Ge) by barley (Hordeum vulgare cv. ‘Arivat') grown at various Ge and pH levels was investigated because Ge is an industrially important metal and bioaccumulation of Ge is a potentially useful means of concentrating this trace metal. Six‐day‐old barley seedlings were grown in perlite and nutrient solution adjusted to a pH of 4.5, 6.0, or 7.5 supplemented with 20, 40,60, or 80 μM Ge for seven days. The plants were divided into roots and shoots after harvesting; the dry weight and Ge content of the individual organs were measured, as was the peroxidase activity in the distal 1 cm of the primary leaves. Barley seedlings accumulated Ge in the roots and shoots; the shoots accumulated Ge linearly as medium Ge concentration increased. The dry weight of the organs was not affected, although necrosis was observed in the primary leaves of the seedlings treated with Ge concentrations greater than 20μM. Peroxidase activity in the primary leaves also increased as the Ge levels in the medium increased which indicated that elevated levels of Ge stimulated leaf senescence. These results demonstrate that barley plants can take up Ge and suggest that Ge is not toxic at the levels that might occur in areas where Ge is normally mined.     

Differential response of two taro cultivars to aluminum: II. Plant mineral concentrations

Abstract

One proposed mechanism of aluminum (Al)‐tolerance involves the ability of plants to maintain uptake of essential mineral elements in the presence of Al. To examine this hypothesis, taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott] cultivars (cv.) Lehua maoli and Bun long were grown in hydroponic solution at six initial Al levels (0, 110, 220, 440, 890, and 1330 μM Al), and plant mineral concentrations were determined after 27 days. Increasing Al levels significantly increased Al concentrations in taro leaf blades, petioles, and roots. This increase in Al concentrations in the leaf blades as solution Al levels increased was greater for Al‐sensitive cv. Bun long compared to cv. Lehua maoli, resulting in significant interaction between Al and cultivar effects. However, no significant cultivar differences were found for Al concentrations in the petioles or roots. Increasing Al levels in solution significantly depressed concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) in taro leaf blades, and significantly depressed concentrations of Ca, Mg, copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in taro roots. Aluminum‐induced Ca deficiency appeared to be one possible mechanism of Al phototoxicity in taro, becvasue Ca concentrations in the leaf blades and roots at the higher Al levels were within the critical deficiency range reported for taro. Significant cultivar differences were found, in which Al‐tolerant cv. Lehua maoli had significantly greater Ca and Cu concentrations in the roots, and significantly greater potassium (K) concentrations in the leaf blades across all Al levels. Our results show that Al‐tolerance in taro cultivars is associated with the ability to maintain uptake of essential mineral nutrients, particularly Ca and K, in the presence of Al.