Differential Aluminum Tolerance of Sugarbeet Cultivars, as Evidenced by Anatomical Structure¹

Abstract

Early attempts to cultivate the sugarbeets (Beta vulgaris L.) in Maine were not successful due to large amounts of soluble Al in acid soils. The objectives of this study were to determine if a differential tolerance to Al exists among sugarbeet cultivars grown world‐wide, and whether such tolerance could be detected in early stages of seedling growth by examination of morphological and anatomical structures. All cultivars were grown in culture solutions of 0 and 4 ppm of Al at pH 4.8. Four parts per million was used because this concentration in culture solution was toxic to cultivar IS 922, a cultivar previously grown on a commercial basis in Maine. After 10 days growth, some cultivars exhibited more tolerance than others. This study concentrated on eight cultivars of the 116 originally tested. Cultivar IS 922 was used as the control; two cultivars were chosen for low tolerance, and five for their high tolerance to Al toxicity. At 0 ppm of Al, all cultivars showed normal anatomical and morphological development. At 4 ppm of Al, the two most susceptible cultivars accumulated large amounts of aluminum phosphate. The meristematic zones of primary and lateral roots of these plants lost their normal pattern of organization and further growth appeared inhibited. Variability existed within each of the five cultivars chosen for their apparent tolerance, some plants accumulated aluminum phosphate and others did not. This study indicated that differential tolerance to Al exists among sugarbeet cultivars, and among individual plants within the same cultivar. Tolerance can be determined at early developmental stages.

Toxicity and Tolerance in the Responses of Plants to Metals

“…These authors conclude that the precipitation of Al at root surfaces results from polymerisation of monomeric species of Al ions induced by hydroxide radicals rather than to binding effects exerted by the pectin fraction. KESER et al (1977) studied differential Al tolerance in cultivars of sugar beet and concluded that precipitation of an aluminium phosphate was taking place in the cortical tissues of AI-susceptible plants. The histochemical technique used was not adequate to resolve the precise location of the deposits.…”

ALUMINUM STRESS INHIBITS ACCUMULATION OF PHOSPHORUS IN ROOT APICES OF ALUMINUM-SENSITIVE BUT NOT ALUMINUM-RESISTANTBRACHIARIACULTIVAR

“…[3][4][5] The P content of root apices, the primary site of Al injury, also appears to increase under Al stress. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Hematoxylin, a dye staining Al-injured root apices of Al-sensitive plant varieties, is thought to bind to extracellular Al-phosphate deposits, whose formation appears to be correlated with inhibition of root elongation by Al. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Hematoxylin, a dye staining Al-injured root apices of Al-sensitive plant varieties, is thought to bind to extracellular Al-phosphate deposits, whose formation appears to be correlated with inhibition of root elongation by Al.…”

“…[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Hematoxylin, a dye staining Al-injured root apices of Al-sensitive plant varieties, is thought to bind to extracellular Al-phosphate deposits, whose formation appears to be correlated with inhibition of root elongation by Al. [7,12,14] Brachiaria decumbens cv. [7,12,14] Brachiaria decumbens cv.…”

Effects of acid soil infertility factors on mineral composition of soybean and cowpea tops

“…The effect of Al on P nutrition of plants has been reported to be due to the accumulation of Al in roots in close association with P, thereby creating a P deficiency for plant growth (18,24,25). With respect to Ca, excess Al may induce Ca deficiency due to reduced uptake and transport of Ca (12,13 Likewise, effects of Al on uptake of Fe, Mg, K and Zn have also been reported (14).…”