Aluminum (Al 3+) toxicity is one of the major factors that limit plant growth and crop yield in acid soils. The phytotoxic effects of aluminum on the seed germination and initial growth of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) seedlings were investigated in the present study. Physic nut seeds were subjected to five levels of aluminum [0 (control), 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg L-1 ], using the solution-paper method, with eight replications. The experimental unit consisted in a germitest paper roll with 25 physic nut seeds. Treatments were evaluated based on the following tests: first count of germination test (7 days), total germination (12 days) and initial growth of physic nut seedlings (12 days). The addition of 80 mg L-1 of Al reduced the first count of germination test (79%), total germination (90%), shoot length (20%), shoot dry matter (30%), root length (76%) and root dry matter (83%) of physic nut seedlings compared to the Al-free control. The addition of high Al concentrations severely restricted the seed germination and initial growth of physic nut. Phytotoxic effects of Al is more accentuated on the root growth than on shoot growth of seedlings. The data suggest that the physic nut is a susceptible species to high concentrations of Al during the phase of seed germination and early growth.
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