Differential aluminum tolerance in some tropical rice cultivars: I. Growth performance

Ten‐day‐old seedlings of 22 rice (Oryza sativa.L) cultivars originated from various tropical countries were subjected to six levels of aluminum (Al) [0, 74, 148, 222, 296, and 370 μM] to test their tolerance to Al toxicity in nutrient solutions at pH 4.0±0.l. Seedlings were grown in the presence of Al under controlled environmental conditions in growth chambers. The nutrient solutions were replenished once a week. After 30 days, treatments were terminated and the differences in their growth patterns were compared. Standard growth parameters such as plant growth, dry matter production, relative growth reduction in roots (RGRS) and shoots (RGRS), root tolerance index (RTI) and shoot tolerance index (STI) have been used as markers of Al toxicity.

Rice cultivars studied exhibited wide range of responses in their tolerance to Al. Though, the rice cultivars were subjected to six levels of Al, a good degree of separation in their responses was observed only at 222 μM Al. Therefore, this concentration was chosen to analyze and compare the performances of the cultivars. Further, only six cultivars showed significant changes in their expression in the presence of Al compared to control, and so data have been presented only for those cultivars for clarity. The cultivars BW 196, Bhura Rata, Basmati 370 and Co 37 recorded increases in growth, while Damodar and ADT 36 showed severe inhibitions in the presence of Al. Furthermore, in RTI and STI also Co 37 and Basmati 370 registered their tolerance to Al by showing increased growth in the presence of Al. Whereas, Damodar and ADT 36 recorded severe reductions. The RGRR and RGRS data also substantiates this finding. Based on the growth parameters, the six rice cultivars were ranked based on their tolerance to Al: Co 37 > Basmati 370 > BW 196 > Bhura Rata > Damodar > ADT 36. Co 37 and Basmati 370 are the two most tolerant cultivars which performed extremely well in the presence of Al, and Damodar and ADT 36 are the most susceptible cultivars. Therefore, the Al‐tolerant cultivars can be used for future breeding programes to develop Al‐tolerant, cultivars that subsequendy can be recommended for planting in acidic, infertile soils of the tropics.     

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.     

Physiological basis of differential aluminum tolerance in rice genotypes

Abstract

Two rice genotypes, aluminum (Al)‐tolerant Co 37 and Al‐susceptible ADT 36, were evaluated for their physiological responses in the presence of Al stress in a hydroculture experiment. Two levels of Al (0 and 222 μmol/L) were supplied in the nutrient solution and the two rice genotypes were subjected to Al for two weeks. Root growth parameters, relative growth reduction in roots (RGRR), effects of calcium (Ca²⁺) nitrate metabolism, Al content in roots, and pH shift patterns were recorded. The Al treatments had a lesser effect on Co 37 in terms of reduction in root growth and root dry matter production as compared to ADT 36. While Co 37 did not show significant differences in response to various levels of Ca²⁺ added in the medium under Al stress, ADT 36 registered a dose‐dependent effect in circumventing the injurious effects of Al. Further, reduction in nitrate content and in vivo nitrate reductase (NR) activity in the leaf tissue in Co 37 under Al treatment was less than that in ADT 36. Moreover, Co 37 had a lower content of Al in its root tissue than did ADT 36. Co 37 was also able to shift the pH of the medium more efficiently than ADT 36, thereby minimizing the uptake of Al, and eventually reducing Al toxicity. The higher level of tolerance to Al of Co 37 seems to have emanated from an efficient nitrate metabolism and its capacity to shift the pH of the medium. It is also evident that Al toxicity in ADT 36 can be circumvented by a Ca treatment to a considerable extent. Our results offer a possible physiological basis for Al tolerance in crop plants.     

Identification of an aluminum tolerant tropical cowpea cultivar by growth and biomass accumulation parameters

Ten‐day‐old seedlings of four cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp) genotypes were subjected to six levels of aluminum (Al) (0, 74, 148, 222, 296, and 370 μM/L) to test their tolerance to Al toxicity in a nutrient solution at pH 4.0±0.1. Seedlings were grown in the presence of Al under controlled environmental conditions in a growth chamber. The nutrient solutions were replenished once a week. After 20 days, treatments were terminated and the differences in their growth patterns were compared. Standard growth parameters, such as plant growth, dry matter production, relative growth reduction in roots (RGRS) and shoots (RGRS), and root and shoot tolerance indices (RTI and STI) have been used as markers of Al toxicity. The cowpea genotypes studied exhibited a wide range of responses in their tolerance to Al. Though the genotypes were subjected to six levels of Al, a good degree of separation in their responses was observed only at the 222 μM Al/L treatment level. Therefore, this concentration was chosen to treat and compare the performances of the genotypes. The genotype Co 3 showed an increase in growth, while Paiyur 1 and other genotypes showed severe inhibitions in the presence of Al. Furthermore, for RTI and STI, Co 3 also registered its tolerance to Al by showing increased ratios in the presence of Al. Whereas, Paiyur 1 recorded severe reductions. The RGRR and RGRS data also substantiates this finding. Based on the growth parameters, the four cowpea genotypes were ranked based on their tolerance to Al: Co 3 > Co 4 > KM > Paiyur 1. Co 3 was the most Al‐tolerant genotype which performed extremely well in the presence of Al, while Paiyur 1was the most Al‐susceptible genotype. Therefore, the Al‐tolerant genotype can be used for future breeding programmes to produce Al‐tolerant genotypes, subsequently, can be recommended for acidic infertile soils in the tropics.     

Effects of low aluminium levels on growth and nutrient relations in three rice cultivars with different tolerances to aluminium

Reports on varietal diversity of upland rice in relation to relatively low aluminium (Al) levels are limited. Therefore, effects were examined of 35, 70, and 140 μM Al on plant growth and uptake of macro‐ and micro‐nutrients (K, P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn) and their distribution in three upland rice (Oryza saliva L.) cultivars (BG35, DA14, and IR45) with different Al sensitivity. After an initial growth period of 5 days without Al, the plants were grown for 21 days in nutrient solutions containing Al at pH 4.1. Cultivar BG35 showed the highest and IR45 the lowest tolerance to Al when fresh weights of shoots or roots were considered. Except for IR45 at 140 μM Al, total dry weight was unaffected by Al, and the cultivars could not be clearly distinguished with respect to Al tolerance. Net Al uptake rate was higher in Al tolerant BG35 than in DA14 or IR45. Conversely, in IR45 the absorbed Al was rapidly transported to the shoots and accumulated there. In BG35, net P and Ca uptake rates in Al‐treated plants were high enough to maintain the P and Ca status of the shoots at all Al levels. Irrespective of Al sensitivity, there was a general depression of internal Mg concentration in Al‐reated plants. The Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn concentrations of the plants were not negatively affected by Al in any of the cultivars.     

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.     

Effect of Glomus etunicatum inoculation on aluminum,phosphorus, calcium,and magnesium uptake of two barley genotypes with different aluminum tolerance

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus Glomus etunicatum on growth, absorption, and distribution of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), and aluminum (Al) in one Al‐tolerant and one Al‐sensitive barley cultivar. The plants were grown in sand daily irrigated with nutrient solution containing 0 or 600 μM Al at pH 4.8. Significant interaction (P=0.05) among variety, mycorrhiza, and aluminum (VxMxAl) were noted for both shoot and root dry matter (DM); shoot concentration and content of Al, P, Ca, and Mg; root concentration of Al, P, and Mg; and root content of Al, P, Ca, and Mg. With VAM inoculation: i) root colonization degree was about 50% in all treatment, ii) shoot DM yield increased between 30 and 70%, iii) Al concentration and content decrease down to a half both in shoots and roots of sensitive barley, iv) Ca concentration in shoots of sensitive barley showed a high increase at 600 μM Al, and v) P concentration and content in shoots of both varieties increased significantly.     

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.     

Aluminum effects on micronutrient uptake by annual ryegrass

Abstract

Four ryegrass (Lolium multiflorumLam.) cultivars were grown in 1/5 Steinberg nutrient solution supplemented with six Al levels (0, 37, 74, 148, 296, or 592 umol L^‐1) at pH initially adjusted to 4.2. Average net Fe influx was stimulated at low nutrient solution Al levels. This stimulation was larger for more Al‐tolerant cultivars Marshall and Gulf. Decreases in average net Mn and Zn influxes were brought about by increasing Al levels in the nutrient solution. The average net influx of Fe, Mn, and Zn was positively correlated with the root tolerance index (relative root yield of plants grown with and without Al added to the nutrient solution). For more Al‐tolerant cultivars, increased total uptake of Fe and Cu was brought about by increased nutrient solution Al levels up to 74 umol L^‐1. Decreases in total uptake of Mn and Zn were generally noted with increased nutrient solution Al levels. Percentage inhibition of total Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu uptake was negatively correlated with the mean pH of the Al‐containing nutrient solutions. The higher average net influx and the smaller percentage inhibition of total Fe uptake at nutrient solution Al levels up to 74 umol L^‐1can be used as indicators in ranking ryegrass cultivars as more Al‐tolerant     

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.     

Aluminium sensitivity of two upland rice cultivars at various levels of nutrient supply

Two upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars with high (IR45) and low (BG35) aluminium (Al) sensitivity were selected to investigate the influence of Al on growth and uptake and distribution of macronutrients [potassium (K), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg)] when the plants were grown at various levels of nutrient supply. The plants were grown for 21 days with or without 140 μM Al at pH 4.1. Nutrients were supplied with 2.5, 5.0, 10, or 15% relative increase/day relative nutrient addition rate (RNR), according to a nutrient supply program. In this range of nutrient supply rates, the degree of Al sensitivity in the two rice cultivars was not markedly affected, except for root growth in BG35 that was more inhibited at low RNRs than at high RNRs. Regardless of nutrient supply rate, Al was mainly confined to the roots in both cultivars. However, the concentrations of Al in the shoots was consistently lower in BG35 than in IR45. Different Al sensitivity in BG35 and IR45 was associated with different influence on uptake and distribution of P and Ca. Uptake of Mg was drastically inhibited by Al at all nutrient supply levels in both cultivars. Uptake and distribution of K were not negatively affected by Al.     

Varietal tolerance of zinc toxicity in peanuts

Peanuts (Arachishypogaea) are more susceptible to zinc (Zn) toxicity than other crops. However, there is potential for rapid evolution of Zn tolerance in many species. The objectives of this study were to test a nutrient solution screening procedure for identifying Zn tolerant cultivars and to identify plant characteristics and cultivars which have potential for Zn tolerance. Florunner was used as the test cultivar to determine the optimum Zn and pH levels for the nutrient solution cultivar screening test. The screening test showed that VA 81B and NC 6 (both virginia‐type peanuts) were more Zn sensitive than Florunner and that N. M. Valencia C and McRan (both valencia‐type peanuts) were more tolerant than Florunner. Field tests were carried out at three locations in Tift County, Georgia: Gibbs Farm (1986–87), Richards Farm (1991), and Stephens Farm (1992). Two out of four field tests did not have adequate soil Zn levels to test Zn tolerance; soil pH between 5.0 and 5.5 and Mehlich 1 soil Zn level ranging from 15–20 mg/kg should be adequate for cultivar screening in the field. Spanish‐type cultivars (Pronto, Spanco, and Starr) had the lowest toxicity ratings and highest yields (Gibbs, 1987), but yields were not economically viable for any cultivars. Aboveground plant Zn or calcium (Ca): Zn ratio were not good indicators of cultivar tolerance. However, low hull Zn concentration, high hull Ca: Zn ratio, and high plant Zn: root Zn ratio correlated well with high yield and low toxicity rating. Minimization of Zn uptake by the hulls would evidently be beneficial in aiding peanut plants in tolerating high soil Zn levels while producing economic yields.     

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.     

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.     

Agronomic effectiveness of phosphate rock and superphosphate for aluminum‐tolerant and non‐tolerant sorghum cultivars

Abstract

About 35% of soils in Venezuela are acid and low in available phosphorus (P). To solve this problem farmers lime and apply phosphate fertilizers to the soils, but both lime and fertilizers are expensive. A good alternative to overcome soil acidity is the use of aluminum (Al)‐tolerant cultivars. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis, by use of a pot experiment, that sorghum cultivars tolerant to Al toxicity are able to use P from phosphate rock more efficiently than are susceptible cultivars. Three sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) cultivars, Chaguaramas III (Ch), AI‐tolerant, Decalb D59 (D59), and Pioneer 8225 (Pi), both Al‐susceptible, were grown in the greenhouse for 20 and 35 days in two acid soils fertilized with 0 and 100 mg P kg^‐1 as triple superphosphate (SP) and Riecito phosphate rock (PR). Santa Maria soil was very low in available P (2 mg kg^‐1) and highly saturated in Al saturation (64.5%) and Pao soil was higher in available P (20 mg kg^‐1) and low in Al saturation (6.5%). Chaguaramas dry matter production, P uptake and root length was higher in Santa Maria soil as compared with Pi and D59 when grown with both SP and PR fertilization. Chaguaramas response to PR in Pao soil was not as good as in Santa Maria soil. The results of our experiment suggest that Al‐tolerant Ch is able to utilize P from PR more efficiently in soils like Santa Maria than Al‐susceptible cultivare Pi and D59.     

Phosphorus,calcium, and magnesium fertilization effects on upland rice in an ultisol

Abstract

Acid‐related soil infertility is the major constraint to crop production on low‐activity clay soils in the tropics. We investigated the role of phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in alleviating the acid‐related fertility problem in upland rice on an Ultisol in the humid forest zone of West Africa. A field experiment was conducted in 1994 under rainfed condition to determine the response of an acid‐tolerant, upland rice cultivar (WAB 56–50) to the application of P, Ca, and Mg nutrient combinations. Phosphorus alone or in combination with Ca and Mg significantly increased yield and agronomic and physiological P efficiencies and improved harvest index of the crop. Application of Ca and Mg alone or together had a non‐significant effect on yield, elemental composition of plant tissue at tillering, and the uptake of macro‐ and micronutrients at harvest. The results indicate that P deficiency was the most important nutrient disorder in the Ultisol and that the application of Ca and Mg as plant nutrients was initially not as important to the growth, yield, and plant nutrient status of an acid‐tolerant upland rice cultivar.     

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.     

Elemental composition of the rice plant as affected by iron toxicity under field conditions

Abstract

Iron (Fe) toxicity is a major nutrient disorder affecting the production of wetland rice in the humid zone of West Africa. Little attention has been given to determining the macro‐ and micronutrient composition of rice plants grown on wetland soils where Fe toxicity is present although results from such study could provide useful information about the involvement of other nutrients in the occurrence of Fe toxicity. A field experiment was conducted in the 1997 dry season (January‐May) at an Fe toxic site in Korhogo, Ivory Coast, to determine the elemental composition of Fe tolerant (CK 4) and susceptible (Bouake 189) lowland rice varieties without and with application of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and zinc (Zn). For both Fe‐tolerant and susceptible varieties, there were no differences in elemental composition of the whole plant rice tops, sampled at 30 and 60 days after transplanting rice seedlings, except for Fe. All the other nutrient element concentrations were adequate. Both Fe‐tolerant and susceptible cultivars had a high Fe content, well above the critical limit (300 mg Fe kg^‐1 plant dry wt). These results along with our observations on the elemental composition of rice plant samples collected from several wetland swamp soils with Fe toxicity in West Africa suggest that “real”; iron toxicity is a single nutrient (Fe) toxicity and not a multiple nutrient deficiency stress.     

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.     

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.