Different properties of SV channels in root vacuoles from near isogenic Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive wheat cultivars

Patch-clamp experiments revealed that near isogenic ET8 (Al-tolerant) and ES8 (Al-sensitive) wheat cultivars differed significantly in slow vacuolar channel properties. Under control conditions, whole vacuole currents displayed faster deactivation in ES8. Application of 1.4 microM vacuolar Al3+ caused a 20 mV increase in the activation threshold and slowed activation kinetics in ET8 but not in ES8. Channel density was about 30% higher in ES8 than ET8, and was not altered by 24 h aluminium pre-treatment. However, the activation threshold was reduced in Al-pre-treated ES8. Overall, our data suggests that Alt1 locus may control more than the plasma membrane malate channel in wheat.     

A split-root experiment shows that translocated phosphorus does not alleviate aluminium toxicity within plant tissue

Background and aims

My previous experimental findings suggested that phosphorus (P) enhances aluminium (Al) tolerance in both Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive wheat seedlings. However, the role of P in the amelioration of Al toxicity within plant tissue is still unclear. Therefore, a soil culture horizontal split-root system was used to quantify whether or not translocated P alleviates Al toxicity within the plant tissue.

Methods

Different level of Al and P were added in two compartments in various combinations for separate root halves. Constrasting Al-tolerant (ET8) and Al-sensitive (ES8) wheat genotypes were used as a testing plant.

Results

The limitation of root growth was independent to Al-toxicity in one root half. However, root proliferation occurred as a compensatory growth on the other root half that has no Al-toxicity. Where half of the roots were given 60 mg P/kg, plant did not translocated P in the other part of the root system that grown in Al toxic soil. When 40 mg P/kg were mixed with 60 mg AlCl₃/kg within one root half combinations, root dry weight of both ET8 and ES8 increased markedly in that root half. In contrast, root dry weight of both ET8 and ES8 decreased noticeably only 60 mg AlCl₃/kg treated root half. The shoot P and Al uptake in both ET8 and ES8 was lower in combined 40 mg P/kg and 60 mg AlCl₃/kg addition as compared to other combination with same P and Al level.

Conclusions

Result from this study confirm that addition of P to Al toxic acid soil played dual role like amelioration of Al-toxicity in soil and utilize P as nutrition for plant growth and development. Findings also attributed that added P was reduced by precipitation with added Al. However, evidence found that translocated P was not able to alleviate Al toxicity within plant tissue of both ES8 and ET8.     

Growth response to subsurface soil acidity of wheat genotypes differing in aluminium tolerance

Subsurface soil acidity coupled with high levels of toxic Al is a major limiting factor in wheat production in many areas of the world. This study examined the effect of subsurface soil acidity on the growth and yield of two near-isogenic wheat genotypes differing in Al tolerance at a single genetic locus in reconstructed soil columns. In one experiment, plants were grown in columns with limed topsoil and limed or acidic subsurface soils, and received water only to the subsurface soil at a late part of the growth period. While shoot dry weight, ear number and grain yield of Al-tolerant genotype (ET8) were not affected by subsurface soil acidity, liming subsurface soil increased shoot weight and grain yield of Al-sensitive genotype (ES8) by 60% and ear number by 32%. Similarly, root length density of ET8 was the same in the limed and acidic subsurface soils, while the root length density of ES8 in the acidic subsurface soil was only half of that in the limed subsurface soil. In another experiment, plants were grown with limed topsoil and acidic subsurface soil under two watering regimes. Both genotypes supplied with water throughout the soil column produced almost twice the dry weight of those receiving water only in the subsurface soil. The tolerant genotype ET8 had shoot biomass and grain yield one-third higher than ES8 when supplied with water throughout the whole column, and had yield 11% higher when receiving water in the subsurface soil only. The tolerant genotype ET8 produced more than five times the root length in the acidic subsurface soil compared to ES8. Irrespective of watering regime, the amount of water added to maintain field capacity of the soil was up to 2-fold higher under ET8 than under ES8. The results suggest that the genotypic variation in growth and yield of wheat grown with subsurface soil acidity results from the difference in root proliferation in the subsurface soil and hence in utilizing nutrient and water reserves in the subsurface soil layer.     

Differential Exudation of Polypeptides by Roots of Aluminum-Resistant and Aluminum-Sensitive Cultivars of Triticum aestivum L. in Response to Aluminum Stress

Cultivars of Triticum aestivum differing in resistance to Al were grown under aseptic conditions in the presence and absence of Al and polypeptides present in root exudates were collected, concentrated, and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Upon exposure to 100 and 200 [mu]M Al, root elongation in Al-sensitive cultivars was reduced by 30 and 65%, respectively, whereas root elongation in resistant cultivars was reduced by only 15 and 30%. Accumulation of polypeptides in the growth medium increased with time for 96 to 120 h, with little additional accumulation thereafter. This pattern of exudation was virtually unaffected by exposure to 100 [mu]M Al in the Al-resistant cultivars Atlas 66 and Maringa, whereas total accumulation was reduced in sensitive cultivars. Changes in exudation were consistent with alterations in root elongation. Al-induced or Al-enhanced polypeptide bands were detected in Atlas 66 and Maringa after 72 h of exposure to Al. Increased accumulation of 12-, 22-, and 33-kD bands was observed at 75 [mu]M Al in Atlas 66 and 12-, 23-, and 43.5-kD bands started to appear at 50 [mu]M Al in Maringa. In the Al-sensitive cultivars Roblin and Katepwa, no significant effect on polypeptide profiles was observed at values up to 100 [mu]M Al. When root exudates were separated by ultrafiltration and the Al content was measured in both high molecular mass (HMM; >10 kD) and ultrafiltrate (<10 kD) fractions, approximately 2 times more Al was detected in HMM fractions from Al-resistant cultivars than from Al-sensitive cultivars. Dialysis of HMM fractions against water did not release this bound Al;digestion with protease released between 62 and 73% of total Al, with twice as much released from exudates of Al-resistant than of Al-sensitive cultivars. When plants were grown in the presence of 0 to 200 [mu]M Al, saturation of the Al-binding capacity of HMM exudates occurred at 50 [mu]M Al in Al-sensitive cultivars. Saturation was not achieved in resistant cultivars. Differences in exudation of total polypeptides in response to Al stress, enhanced accumulation of specific polypeptides, and the greater association of Al with HMM fractions from Al-resistant cultivars suggest that root exudate polypeptides may play a role in plant response to Al.     

Effect of Enhanced Calcium Supply on Aluminum Toxicity in Relation to Cell Wall Properties in the Root Apex of Two Wheat Cultivars Differing in Aluminum Resistance

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of enhanced Ca supply on Al toxicity in relation to cell wall properties in two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars differing in Al resistance. Seedlings of Al-tolerant Inia66 and Al-sensitive Kalyansona cultivars were grown in complete nutrient solutions for 4 days then subjected to treatment solutions containing Al (0, 50 μM) and Ca (500, 2500 μM) at pH 4.5 for 24 h. Root elongation was affected greatly by Al treatment in the Al-sensitive cultivar and a significant improvement in root growth was observed with enhanced Ca supply during Al stress. Pectin and hemicellulose contents in the root cell walls increased with Al stress, and this increase was more conspicuous in the Al-sensitive cultivar. The molecular mass of hemicellulosic polysaccharides increased with Al treatment in the Al-sensitive cultivar and decreased with enhanced Ca supply. The increase in the molecular mass of hemicellulosic polysaccharides was attributed to increased content of glucose, arabinose and xylose in neutral sugars. Enhanced Ca supply slightly decreased the content of these components with Al stress. Aluminum treatment increased the contents of ferulic and p-coumaric acid, especially in the Al-sensitive cultivar, by increasing peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5) activity, whereas enhanced Ca supply during Al stress decreased the content of these components by decreasing POD and PAL activity. These results suggest that the increased molecular mass of hemicellulosic polysaccharides and phenolic compounds in the Al-sensitive cultivar with Al stress might have inhibited root elongation associated with cell wall stiffening related to cross-linking among cell-wall polymers and lignin. Enhanced Ca supply might maintain the normal synthesis of these materials even with Al stress.     

The effect of aluminium on polypeptide pattern of cell wall proteins isolated from the roots of Al-sensitive and Al-resistant barley cultivars

Accumulation of some proteins isolated from the cell wall of roots of the Al-sensitive (Alfor) and the Al-resistant (Bavaria) barley cultivars were followed during treatment with different Al³⁺ concentrations, pH changes of the root medium, and several heavy metals (Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺). SDS-PAGE analysis revealed an Al-induced accumulation of polypeptides with molecular mass of 14, and 16 kDa and a group of polypeptides around 27 kDa. The accumulation pattern of Al-induced polypeptides was very similar in both cultivars but in the Al-resistant Bavaria it was induced at lower Al concentration and earlier than it was in the Al-sensitive cultivar Alfor. Changes in pH values of root medium (pH 3.5–6.5) did not show any effect on the accumulation of Al-induced cell wall polypeptides either in Al-sensitive or in Al-tolerant barley cultivar. Heavy metals (Cu, Cd, and Co) at concentration of 10 μM resulted in similar accumulation of individual polypeptides as we found after Al treatment. In comparison to Al, quantitative differences in polypeptides accumulation induced by Cu, Cd and Co were less expressed that of Al treatment. More pronounced accumulation and earlier induction of individual cell wall polypeptides in roots of Al-resistant barley cultivar than in Al-sensitive, might indicate some possible role of these polypeptides in plant resistance to Al stress.     

铝胁迫下胡枝子根尖胼胝质形成规律及影响因素

采用水培试验,研究了铝胁迫下两个胡枝子品种根尖产生胼胝质的变化规律及影响因素。结果表明,两个品种的根尖铝吸收量与胼胝质形成量呈正比例关系。品种间差异主要是在根尖0—0.5 cm处。敏感品种胼胝质形成量同铝吸收量的变化趋势相一致,而耐性品种则在铝处理6 h时出现一个高峰值后下降。去除铝胁迫后,耐性品种胼胝质形成量并不显著减少。与单独铝处理相比,阴离子通道抑制剂苯甲酰甲醛加铝处理对两个品种胼胝质形成无影响;尼氟灭酸加铝处理抑制敏感品种胼胝质的形成,对耐性品种无影响;蒽-9-羧酸加铝处理显著抑制两个品种的胼胝质形成。另外,抑制剂2-去氧-D-葡萄糖加铝共同处理与单独铝处理相比,敏感品种的胼胝质形成量显著降低,耐性品种无影响。甘露醇对两个品种胼胝质形成的影响无显著差别。镧处理下胼胝质的形成量是耐性品种显著高于敏感品种,铝、镧同时处理胼胝质的形成量最高。敏感品种胼胝质形成处理间无差别。总之,耐性品种在铝胁迫下胼胝质形成与有机酸分泌可能存在一定的协调关系;铝胁迫下胼胝质形成是敏感指标;在一定条件下,特别是有机酸分泌前胼胝质的形成可能具有一定抗性意义;铝诱导胼胝质的形成受多种外界因素(浓度、时间、有机酸分泌,渗透压等)的影响。     

Kinetics of Aluminum Uptake by Excised Roots of Aluminum-Tolerant and Aluminum-Sensitive Cultivars of Triticum aestivum L

Uptake of aluminum (Al) by excised roots of two Al-tolerant cultivars and two Al-sensitive cultivars of Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) was biphasic, with a rapid phase of uptake in the first 30 minutes followed by a linear phase of uptake up to 180 minutes. At the end of the uptake period, higher concentrations of Al were found in roots of the Al-sensitive cultivars (Neepawa and Scout-66) than in the Al-tolerant cultivars (Atlas-66 and PT-741), but differences were small. Experiments testing the effectiveness of several desorption agents demonstrated that citric acid was most effective in desorption of loosely bound Al (the putative apoplasmic compartment) followed by others in the order tartaric acid > EDTA > CaSO₄ = ScCl₃. In all cultivars, 30 minutes of desorption with citric acid depleted the rapidly exchanging, putative apoplasmic compartment, although some tightly bound Al remained in that compartment. The relationship between Al remaining after desorption and time in the uptake medium was nearly linear and no distinction was observed between Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive cultivars. However, uptake of Al by the Al-tolerant cultivars was increased by treatment with the protonophore 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), while uptake of Al by Al-sensitive cultivars was relatively unaffected. Such results suggest the possible involvement of an active exclusion mechanism in Al-tolerant cultivars of T. aestivum.     

Organic acid exudation as an aluminum-tolerance mechanism in maize (Zea mays L.)

In this study, the role of root organic acid synthesis and exudation in the mechanism of aluminum tolerance was examined in Al-tolerant (South American 3) and Al-sensitive (Tuxpeño and South American 5) maize genotypes. In a growth solution containing 6 M Al³⁺, Tuxpeño and South American 5 were found to be two- and threefold more sensitive to Al than South American 3. Root organic acid content and organic acid exudation from the entire root system into the bulk solution were investigated via high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis while exudates collected separately from the root apex or a mature root region (using a dividedroot-chamber technique) were analyzed with a more-sensitive ion chromatography system. In both the Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive lines, Al treatment significantly increased the total root content of organic acids, which was likely the result of Al stress and not the cause of the observed differential Al tolerance. In the absence of Al, small amounts of citrate were exuded into the solution bathing the roots. Aluminum exposure triggered a stimulation of citrate release in the Al-tolerant but not in the Al-sensitive genotypes; this response was localized to the root apex of the Al-tolerant genotype. Additionally, Al exposure triggered the release of phosphate from the root apex of the Al-tolerant genotype. The same solution Al³⁺ activity that elicited the maximum difference in Al sensitivity between Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive genotypes also triggered maximal citrate release from the root apex of the Al-tolerant line. The significance of citrate as a potential detoxifier for aluminum is discussed. It is concluded that organic acid release by the root apex could be an important aspect of Al tolerance in maize.Abbreviations SA3 South American 3, an Al-tolerant maize cultivar - SA5 South American 5, an Al-sensitive maize cultivar The authors would like to express their appreciation to Drs. John Thompson, Ross Welch and Mr. Stephen Schaefer for their training and guidance in the use of the chromatography systems. This work was supported by a Swiss National Science Foundation Fellowship to Didier Pellet, and U.S. Department of Agriculture/National Research Initiative Competitive Grant 93-37100-8874 to Leon Kochian. We would also like to thank Drs. S. Pandey and E. Ceballos from the CIMMYT Regional office at CIAT Cali, Colombia for providing seed for the maize varieties and inbred line.     

Extensin,an underestimated key component of cell wall defence?

BackgroundExtensins are plant cell wall hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins known to be involved in cell wall reinforcement in higher plants, and in defence against pathogen attacks. The ability of extensins to form intra- and intermolecular cross-links is directly related to their role in cell wall reinforcement. Formation of such cross-links requires appropriate glycosylation and structural conformation of the glycoprotein.ScopeAlthough the role of cell wall components in plant defence has drawn increasing interest over recent years, relatively little focus has been dedicated to extensins. Nevertheless, new insights were recently provided regarding the structure and the role of extensins and their glycosylation in plant–microbe interactions, stimulating an interesting debate from fellow cell wall community experts. We have previously revealed a distinct distribution of extensin epitopes in Arabidopsis thaliana wild-type roots and in mutants impaired in extensin arabinosylation, in response to elicitation with flagellin 22. That study was recently debated in a Commentary by Tan and Mort (Tan L, Mort A. 2020. Extensins at the front line of plant defence. A commentary on: ‘Extensin arabinosylation is involved in root response to elicitors and limits oomycete colonization’. Annals of Botany 125: vii–viii) and several points regarding our results were discussed. As a response, we herein clarify the points raised by Tan and Mort, and update the possible epitope structure recognized by the anti-extensin monoclonal antibodies. We also provide additional data showing differential distribution of LM1 extensin epitopes in roots between a mutant defective in PEROXIDASES 33 and 34 and the wild type, similarly to previous observations from the rra2 mutant defective in extensin arabinosylation. We propose these two peroxidases as potential candidates to specifically catalyse the cross-linking of extensins within the cell wall.ConclusionsExtensins play a major role within the cell wall to ensure root protection. The cross-linking of extensins, which requires correct glycosylation and specific peroxidases, is most likely to result in modulation of cell wall architecture that allows enhanced protection of root cells against invading pathogens. Study of the relationship between extensin glycosylation and their cross-linking is a very promising approach to further understand how the cell wall influences root immunity.     

Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Wheat Roots Is Not Linked with Changes in H+ Fluxes During Acidic and Aluminium Stresses

Aluminium stress induces peroxidation of lipids in the plasma membrane, the effect akin to that caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS have recently been proposed as regulators of redox-dependent ion transport across the plasma membrane during biotic and abiotic stresses, thus contributing to the plant defence system. The aim of this study was to discover whether ROS production is linked to redox-dependent H⁺ transport system located at the plasma membranes of two near-isogenic lines of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., ET8 = Al-resistant, ES8 = Al-sensitive).The activities of NADPH-dependent ROS synthase and SOD were increased in both wheat lines 15 and 30 min after Al treatments. However, the ROS production was also increased under acidic stress. There was no difference between the two wheat lines in the root-cell plasma membrane capacity to efflux H⁺ in response to potassium ferricyanide after Al and acidic treatments. In ET8, both stresses led to increases in ROS production and H⁺ influx.ROS production in wheat seedlings was activated primarily by low pH exposure rather than by the Al stress. ROS production and breakdown in wheat seedlings under Al and acidic stresses appear to be linked to the intracellular metabolic changes rather than to the increased activity of plasma membrane-based NADPH-dependent ROS synthase.Key Words: ion fluxes, reactive oxygen species (ROS), redox system, superoxide dismutase (SOD), Triticum aestivum L., wheat     

Multiple Aluminum-Resistance Mechanisms in Wheat (Roles of Root Apical Phosphate and Malate Exudation)

Although it is well known that aluminum (Al) resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum) is multigenic, physiological evidence for multiple mechanisms of Al resistance has not yet been documented. The role of root apical phosphate and malate exudation in Al resistance was investigated in two wheat cultivars (Al-resistant Atlas and Al-sensitive Scout) and two near-isogenic lines (Al-resistant ET3 and Al-sensitive ES3). In Atlas Al resistance is multigenic, whereas in ET3 resistance is conditioned by the single Alt1 locus. Based on root- growth experiments, Atlas was found to be 3-fold more resistant in 20 [mu]M Al than ET3. Root-exudation experiments were conducted under sterile conditions; a large malate efflux localized to the root apex was observed only in Atlas and in ET3 and only in the presence of Al (5 and 20 [mu]M). Furthermore, the more Al-resistant Atlas exhibited a constitutive phosphate release localized to the root apex. As predicted from the formation constants for the Al-malate and Al-phosphate complexes, the addition of either ligand to the root bathing solution alleviated Al inhibition of root growth in Al-sensitive Scout. These results provide physiological evidence that Al resistance in Atlas is conditioned by at least two genes. In addition to the alt locus that controls Al-induced malate release from the root apex, other genetic loci appear to control constitutive phosphate release from the apex. We suggest that both exudation processes act in concert to enhance Al exclusion and Al resistance in Atlas.     

Possible Involvement of Al-Induced Electrical Signals in Al Tolerance in Wheat

The relationship between Al-induced depolarization of root-cell transmembrane electrical potentials (Em) and Al tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was investigated. Al exposure induced depolarizations of Em in the Al-tolerant wheat cultivars Atlas and ET3, but not in the Al-sensitive wheat cultivars Scout and ES3. The depolarizations of Em occured in root cap cells and as far back as 10 mm from the root tip. The depolarization was specific to Al3+; no depolarization was observed when roots were exposed to the rhizotoxic trivalent cation La3+. The Al-induced depolarization occurred in the presence of anion-channel antagonists that blocked the release of malate, indicating that the depolarization is not due to the electrogenic efflux of malate2-. K+-induced depolarizations in the root cap were of the same magnitude as Al-induced depolarizations, but did not trigger malate release, indicating that Al-induced depolarization of root cap cell membrane potentials is probably linked to, but is not sufficient to trigger, malate release.     

Aluminum stress and protein synthesis in near isogenic lines of Triticum aestivum differing in aluminum tolerance

Aluminum (Al) stress was examined in three lines of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) by measuring root lengths, protein synthesis and protein accumulation in seedling root tips grown in a hydroponic system. An Al-sensitive, recurrent wheat parent (cv. Katepwa) showed very little root growth in low Al concentrations. In contrast, an Al-tolerant near isogenic line (Alikat) and Al-tolerant donor (cv. Maringa) had much greater root growth. Segregation data from an F₂ population (Katepwa × Alikat) showed that one major gene controlled Al tolerance based on root growth ( X ²= 0.651). All three lines showed an approximately 2-fold increase in [³⁵S]-Met incorporation in root tips after 3 days in Al and a comparable increase in root-tip dry weight. Maringa and Alikat root tips showed an increased total protein content while Katepwa root tips showed no increase in total protein content during the Al stress. Based on higher specific activities, insoluble proteins were preferentially translated in all three lines during Al stress. Proteinase activity in Katepwa root tips was 1.7-fold higher during Al stress, with Maringa and Alikat showing no change in proteinase activity. The Al-induced, increased proteinase activity in Katepwa appeared to inhibit soluble protein accumulation.     

Physiological aspects of aluminium tolerance associated with the long arm of chromosome 2D of the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genome

Aluminum (Al) uptake in roots of wheat nearisogenic lines having differing tolerances to aluminium toxicity was studied using roots and root segments immersed in a nutrient solution at a controlled pH and temperature. At low Al concentrations a mechanism preventing root tips from accumulating too much Al was observed in an Al-tolerant isoline and a BH1146 euploid. This mechanism was more efficient when divalent cations of calcium or magnesium were present in the nutrient medium. Al accumulation steadily increased in root tips of the Al-sensitive wheat isoline during all 24 h of incubation, and the presence of divalent cations in the medium even increased Al concentration in root tissue. However, at higher Al concentrations in the medium the mechanism preventing the root tips of Al-tolerant genotypes from accumulating too much Al was not observed, and in effect Al concentration in root tips of both Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive isolines increased. It is concluded that genetical factors are located on the long arm of chromosome 2D from the BH1146 euploid that control the mechanism preventing root apical meristems from accumulating too much Al at low Al concentrations in the medium. However, there must be other genetical factors also located on this chromosome segment that control Al detoxication in root tips of Al-tolerant lines at higher external Al concentrations.     

Aluminum Tolerance in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (I. Uptake and Distribution of Aluminum in Root Apices)

We investigated the uptake and distribution of Al in root apices of near-isogenic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) lines differing in Al tolerance at a single locus (Alt1: aluminum tolerance). Seedlings were grown in nutrient solution that contained 100 [mu]M Al, and the roots were subsequently stained with hematoxylin, a compound that binds Al in vitro to form a colored complex. Root apices of Al-sensitive genotypes stained after short exposures to Al (10 min and 1 h), whereas apices of Al-tolerant seedlings showed less intense staining after equivalent exposures. Differential staining preceded differences observed in either root elongation or total Al concentrations of root apices (terminal 2-3 mm of root). After 4 h of exposure to 100 [mu]M Al in nutrient solution, Al-sensitive genotypes accumulated more total Al in root apices than Al-tolerant genotypes, and the differences became more marked with time. Analysis of freeze-dried root apices by x-ray microanalysis showed that Al entered root apices of Al-sensitive plants and accumulated in the epidermal layer and in the cortical layer immediately below the epidermis. Long-term exposure of sensitive apices to Al (24 h) resulted in a distribution of Al coinciding with the absence of K. Quantitation of Al in the cortical layer showed that sensitive apices accumulated 5- to 10-fold more Al than tolerant apices exposed to Al solutions for equivalent times. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that Alt1 encodes a mechanism that excludes Al from root apices.     

Bacterial and fungal communities in bulk soil and rhizospheres of aluminum-tolerant and aluminum-sensitive maize (Zea mays L.) lines cultivated in unlimed and limed Cerrado soil

Liming of acidic soils can prevent aluminum toxicity and improve crop production. Some maize lines show aluminum (Al) tolerance, and exudation of organic acids by roots has been considered to represent an important mechanism involved in the tolerance. However, there is no information about the impact of liming on the structures of bacterial and fungal communities in Cerrado soil, nor if there are differences between the microbial communities from the rhizospheres of Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive maize lines. This study evaluated the effects of liming on the structure of bacterial and fungal communities in bulk soil and rhizospheres of Al-sensitive and Al-tolerant maize (Zea mays L.) lines cultivated in Cerrado soil by PCR-DGGE, 30 and 90 days after sowing. Bacterial fingerprints revealed that the bacterial communities from rhizospheres were more affected by aluminum stress in soil than by the maize line (Al-sensitive or Al-tolerant). Differences in bacterial communities were also observed over time (30 and 90 days after sowing), and these occurred mainly in the Actinobacteria. Conversely, fungal communities from the rhizosphere were weakly affected either by liming or by the rhizosphere, as observed from the DGGE profiles. Furthermore, only a few differences were observed in the DGGE profiles of the fungal populations during plant development when compared with bacterial communities. Cloning and sequencing of 16S rRNA gene fragments obtained from dominant DGGE bands detected in the bacterial profiles of the Cerrado bulk soil revealed that Actinomycetales and Rhizobiales were among the dominant ribotypes.