Vochysia tucanorum Mart.: an aluminum-accumulating species evidencing calcifuge behavior

Abstract

Background and aims Acidic soil occupies 30% of the world's ice-free land, and exchangeable aluminum (Al) availability increases under these conditions, being toxic to many plant species. However, some plants accumulate Al without damage to their metabolism. Vochysia tucanorum is an Al-accumulating species endemic to the cerrado vegetation with acidic soils in South America. Here, we predict that it is a calcifuge species. Methods We assessed macro and micronutrient concentrations as well as Al accumulation, plant height and root length of potted plants grown on acidic and calcareous soil for 60 days. A LC-MS-based metabolite fingerprinting of plants on both conditions was also performed. Results Plants grown on acidic soil showed higher biomass and Al concentration in roots and shoots than those grown on calcareous soil. Despite the higher concentration of macronutrients on plants grown on calcareous soil, micronutrients concentration was similar between plants grown on these soils. Plants grown on the calcareous soil showed necrotic leaves. The metabolite fingerprinting indicated significant changes in the metabolism of phenolics and organic acids. Conclusions Due to the high Al accumulation in plants grown on acidic soil, and their inability to survive in calcareous soil, we conclude that V. tucanorum is an Alaccumulating species with calcifuge behavior.

Nutrient cycling between soil and leaf litter in the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) on eutrophic and dystrophic Neosols

“…These differences between calcareous and typical (more acidic) soils are in accordance with other cerrado areas (Haridasan 1988;Souza et al 2017) and forest communities of the Cerrado (Haridasan & Araújo 1988). Moreover, OM, which also was higher in Area 1, may be even important in providing nutrients for plants in the cerrado (Goodland & Ferri 1979), riparian forests of the Cerrado (Moreno & Schiavini 2001) and Australian savannas (Holt & Coventry 1990).…”

“…The rock types were identified by observations in loco (the analysis being performed by Dr. Alice Bosco). From rock coloration (whitish) and effervescence reaction with dilute hydrochloric acid, we identified the mineral calcite in calcareous rocky outcrop, sparsely present in area 1, in accordance with Souza et al (2017), who conducted their study close to this outcrop. While in Area 2, we identified the scattered occurrence of arenitic rocky outcrop (brownish).…”

“…Instead, calcareous descriptions are limited to forest formations of the Cerrado, mainly dry deciduous forests (Reatto et al 1998). However, the occurrence of calcareous soil was identified in cerrado sensu stricto vegetation in the municipality of Ituiutaba, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, (Souza et al 2017). In addition, our field observations (white coloration) combined with chemical analysis (excess calcium) indicate specifically the occurrence of Neosol with rocky calcareous outcrop in the cerrado sensu stricto.…”

“…Several authors partially attribute these dystrophic soils to high aluminum saturation (Goodland 1971;Larcher 2000;Gottsberger & Silberbauer-Gottsberger 2006), which contributes to lower soil pH, decreasing nutrient solubility for plants (Eiten 1972). However, there is currently some debate on whether nutritional disorders in plants are directly or indirectly affected by Al (Souza et al 2017).…”

High aluminum concentration and initial establishment of Handroanthus impetiginosus: clues about an Al non-resistant species in Brazilian Cerrado

“…Some resistant species avoid Al through the release of organic compounds from the apex of the root to the soil (Kochian et al 2015;Yang et al 2015;Sade et al 2016). Others tolerate high concentrations of aluminum by accumulating it in roots or aerial parts where concentrations have been recorded higher than 1000 mg kg −1 of aluminum complexed with organic acids (Haridasan 2008;Kochian et al 2015;de Souza et al 2017). In such cases, there are no modifications in nutrient uptake or in plant growth (Malta et al 2016;de Souza et al 2017).…”