| Abstract: | The objective of this study was to correlate root length of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes grown in Al-containing, acidic hydroponic solutions, with root weights from acid-soil experiments and field scores from Brazilian acid-field trials. A total of 43 wheat genotypes, primarily from Brazil, were evaluated by growing seedlings for 4 days in hydroponic solutions containing 0.0–4.0 mg/l Al. The root growth rate of all the genotypes was reduced with the addition of Al to the solution and the Al-sensitive and Al-tolerant wheat genotypes were clearly identified. Genotypes with intermediate Al-tolerance levels showed variable root lengths in response to Al stress. Correlations between root length or a root tolerance index (RTI) in the Al solutions versus acid-soil experiments and acid-field trials were highly significant (r = 0.71–0.85, P < 0.01). The most significant correlation was observed among seedlings grown in 1 mg/1 Al. This study presents evidence that this short duration and simple screening technique provides a highly significant correlation with previous acid-soil Al-tolerance evaluations. Furthermore, the data obtained suggest that hydroponic screening of wheat seedlings for Al tolerance may be used in breeding programmes or in screening germplasm collections. |
