Root endophytic Chaetomium cupreum promotes plant growth and detoxifies aluminum in Miscanthus sinensis Andersson growing at the acidic mine site

Miscanthus sinensis Andersson grows naturally at the Hitachi mine. The root‐zone soil was acidic and contained high concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn and exchangeable Al. Adventitious roots accumulated high concentrations of Al and Fe, but not other heavy metals. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of tolerance of Al in M. sinensis, focusing on its chemical interaction with root endophytes. We isolated Chaetomium cupreum, which produced siderophores, from adventitious roots of M. sinensis via CAS assay. In inoculation tests, C. cupreum promoted M. sinensis seedling growth and increased Al and Fe uptake in the roots, although C. cupreum did not stimulate M. sinensis to produce Al detoxicants, such as citric and malic acids. Observation of the pattern of Al localization in the roots clarified that C. cupreum reduced Al toxicity in M. sinensis via compartmentalizing Al into fungal mycelia surrounding the roots and creating a less toxic Al‐localization pattern, allocating Al to the epidermis, endodermis and stele of roots. In conclusion, our results indicated that C. cupreum increases Al tolerance in M. sinensis growing at the acidic mine site.     

Differential expression of genes involved in alternative glycolytic pathways,phosphorus scavenging and recycling in response to aluminum and phosphorus interactions in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrus</Emphasis> roots

The objective was to determine the possible links between the expression levels of genes involved in alternative glycolytic pathways, phosphorus (P) scavenging and recycling and Citrus tolerance to aluminum (Al) and/or P-deficiency. ‘Xuegan’ (Citrus sinensis) and ‘Sour pummelo’ (Citrus grandis) seedlings were irrigated for 18 weeks with nutrient solution containing 0 and 1.2 mM AlCl₃·6H₂O × 0, 50 and 200 μM KH₂PO₄. C. sinensis displayed more tolerant to Al and P-deficiency than C. grandis. Under Al stress, C. sinensis accumulated more Al in roots and less Al in shoots than C. grandis. P concentration was higher in C. sinensis shoots and roots than in C. grandis ones. C. sinensis roots secreted more malate and citrate than C. grandis ones when exposed to Al. Al-induced-secretion of malate and citrate by excised roots from Al-treated seedlings decreased with increasing P supply. Al-induced-secretion of malate and citrate from roots and Al precipitation by P in roots might be responsible for Al-tolerance of C. sinensis. qRT-PCR analysis showed that Al-activated malate transporter (ALMT1), ATP-dependent phosphofructokinase (ATP-PFK), pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase (PPi-PFK), tonoplast adenosine-triphosphatase subunit A (V-ATPase A), tonoplast pyrophosphatase (V-PPiase), pyruvate kinase (PK), acid phosphatase (APase), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), malic enzyme (ME) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) genes might contribute to the tolerance of Citrus to Al and/or P-deficiency, but any single gene could not explain the differences between the two species. Citrus tolerance to Al and/or P-deficiency might be caused by the coordinated regulation of gene expression involved in alternative glycolytic pathways, P scavenging and recycling.     

Responses of Al-tolerant Dayton and Al-sensitive Kearney barley cultivars to calcium and magnesium during al stress

Summary Two barley cultivars differing in Al tolerance, Kearney (Al-sensitive) and Dayton (Al-tolerant) were exposed to Al stress with varied Ca and Mg concentrations in the nutrient solution. Increase in calcium and magnesium supply protected root meristems and root growth from Al toxicity more effectively in the Al-tolerant cultivar than in the Al-sensitive one. Lateral roots were much more sensitive to Al than adventitious roots. Exposure to 0.33 mM Al with low concentrations of Ca (1.3 mM) and Mg (0.3 mM) caused damage to root tips in both cultivars. Increasing the Ca concentration to 4.3 and 6.3 mM prevented root tip damage in Dayton but not in Kearney. In the Al-tolerant cultivar Dayton, however, the root tips regenerated even at the low Ca concentration of 1.3 mM, whereas 6.3 mM Ca was necessary for this to occur in Kearney. This difference was due to the fact that Dayton's root meristem cells were more resistant to damage. Magnesium responses also varied between the two cultivars. At the lowest Ca concentration an increase in Mg to 6.3 mM permitted regeneration of damaged Kearney root tips and completely prevented any damage in Dayton. It is to be assumed that the different responses of the two cultivars are due to differences in plasma membrane properties.     

Aluminium accumulation in root cell walls coincides with inhibition of root growth but not with inhibition of magnesium uptake in Norway spruce

High levels of aluminium in the soil solution of forest soils cause stress to forest trees. Within the soil profile, pH and aluminium concentration in the soil solution vary considerably with soil depth. pH strongly influences the speciation of A1 in solution, and is a factor when considering toxicity of A1 to roots. Norway spruce ( Picea abies [L.] Karst.) seedlings were grown for 7 weeks in nutrient solutions at pH 3.2, 4.0 or 5.0 containing 0, 100 or 400 µ M A1. At the end of this period, seedling growth, the cation exchange capacity of the roots and the amount of exchangeable Ca and Mg in roots were determined. A1 concentrations in whole roots, root segments, and in needles were measured. Using X‐ray microanalysis, the concentrations of Al, Ca, Mg and P were determined in cortical cell walls. We wanted to test the hypotheses that (1) the amount of Al bound to cation exchange sites can be used as a marker for Al toxicity and (2) the Mg concentration of needles is controlled by the amount of Mg bound to cation exchange sites. Low pH reduced the inhibition of Al on root growth and shoot length. Both low pH and Al lowered the concentration of Ca and Mg in needles. Al concentrations in the roots decreased as the pH decreased. In the roots, Al displaced Mg and Ca from binding sites at the root cortical cell walls. A comparison of the effects of Al at the different pH values on root growth and Mg concentration in the needles, suggests that, at pH 5.0, an Al fraction in the apoplast inhibits root growth, but does not affect Mg uptake. This fraction of Al is not available for transport to the shoots. In contrast, Mg uptake is strongly affected by Al at pH 3.2, although only very low levels of Al were detected in the roots. Thus, Al accumulation in the apoplast is a positive marker for Al effects on root growth, but not Mg uptake. The Mg concentration of needles is not controlled by the amount of Mg bound to cation exchange sites.     

雷公藤组培产物的杀虫杀菌活性研究

采用室内生测法研究了雷公藤愈伤组织、悬浮细胞、不定根等组培产物对小菜蛾毒杀、生长发育影响以及不定根提取物对番茄灰霉病等植物病原真菌菌丝生长抑制作用,以明确雷公藤组培产物的生物活性及其应用前景。结果表明,不同雷公藤组培产物对小菜蛾3龄幼虫都具有明显的毒杀作用,悬浮细胞以及不定根的LC50均超过了根皮粉的效果,其中的不定根提取物对小菜蛾3龄幼虫毒杀作用的LC50为根皮粉的1.95倍;不同组培产物提取物对小菜蛾幼虫的生长均有明显的抑制作用,其中不定根提取物处理后每天的小菜蛾体重显著下降,72h后70%左右已经死亡,存活的试虫体重比试验前下降了18.33%;雷公藤不定根提取物对供试的11种植物病原真菌菌丝生长均有一定的抑制作用,有5种的抑制率超过60%,并对番茄灰霉病菌的抑制作用最强,其EC50为10.074mg/mL,且不定根的抑制效果均超过了根皮粉的抑制效果。     

Inoculation of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhododendron</Emphasis> cv. Belle-Heller with two strains of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phialocephala fortinii</Emphasis> in two different substrates

The growth response of an ornamentalRhododendron hybrid to the inoculation withPhialocephala fortinii was studied in two pot experiments in order to decide about the effectiveness of the inoculation of young rhododendron microplants. Two different substrates were used in both experiments, either sterilized or non-sterilized: a horticultural substrate and a soil collected from a field site with dominant ericoid vegetation. Two fungal isolates were used for an inoculation:P. fortinii strain P (UAMH 8433) andP. fortinii strain F, a dark septate endophyte (DSE) previously isolated from naturally-infected roots ofVaccinium myrtillus. BothPhialocephala strains successfully colonized the roots of the host plants forming typical DSE (=pseudomycorrhizal) colonization pattern including the formation of intracellular microsclerotia. However, pseudomycorrhizal colonization did not affect the growth parameters of the host rhododendrons. The results from both experiments indicate a neutral effect of the inoculation with DSE fungi on the growth ofRhododendron cv. Belle-Heller.     

Podophyllotoxin production via cell and adventitious root cultures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Podophyllum peltatum</Emphasis>

Podophyllum peltatum is an important medicinal plant that produces podophyllotoxin (PTOX) with anti-cancer properties. We established the embryogenic cell and adventitious root culture systems in P. peltatum and analyzed PTOX production. For the growth of embryogenic cell clumps in shake flask culture, the most efficient concentration of 2,4-dichloroacetic acid (2,4-D) was 6.78 μM, and the growth of embryogenic cell clumps was 15.9-fold increased in Murashige and Skoog MS liquid medium with 6.78 μM 2,4-D after 3 wk of culture. To induce adventitious roots, half-strength MS medium showed the best results for adventitious root induction compared to full strength MS medium and MS medium lacking NH₄NO₃. Optimal indole-3-butyric acid concentration for adventitious root formation was 14.78 μM. In liquid medium, the frequency of adventitious root formation from root segments was 87.7% and the number of laterally formed adventitious roots was 22.3 per segment. PTOX production in embryogenic cells and adventitious roots was confirmed by liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry analysis. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that adventitious roots contained higher PTOX than embryogenic cell clumps. Elicitor treatment (20 μM methyl jasmonate) strongly enhanced the production of PTOX in both embryogenic cell clumps and adventitious roots. This observation suggests that both embryogenic cell and adventitious root culture can be adopted to produce PTOX.     

Localization and compartmentation of Al in the leaves and roots of tea plants

Under acid soil conditions, solubility of aluminum (Al) increases leading to toxicity for plants. Al accumulator species such as tea, however, accumulate high levels of Al in tissues without toxicity symptoms. In this work, Al localization and compartmentation were studied in tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] grown hydroponically at 0 or 100 µM Al for eight weeks. Plant dry matter production was significantly higher in the presence of Al and accumulated up to 1.21 and 6.18 mg Al/g DW in the leaves and roots, respectively. About 40-50% of Al was partitioned into cell wall (CW)-bound fraction without any difference among leaves of different age and roots. A significant increase of the soluble phenolics fraction by Al was observed in both leaves and roots. Conventional and confocal laser scanning microscopy images of morin-stained roots indicated a high fluorescence signal in the caps and adjacent mersitematic cells. Towards basal parts, however, Al tended to accumulate mainly in the root hairs, rhizodermal and endodermal cell layers and slightly in the cortex while it was clearly excluded from the central cylinder. A high Al-morin signal was detected from the CW compared with other parts of the cells. Relatively high green fluorescence signal was emitted from the epidermal cell layer, trichomes, vascular bundle region and stomatal cells of particularly young leaves. Our study provides evidences for involvement of both avoidance and tolerance mechanisms for Al in tea plants.     

培养条件对西洋参不定根诱导的影响

为了提高西洋参不定根的诱导率和生长速度,该研究以西洋参鲜根为外植体,在基本培养基的基础上优化IBA、碳源、氮源和磷源等营养成分。结果表明:西洋参不定根诱导过程可以明显分为外植体脱分化(愈伤化)、再分化(根形成)和根伸长等三个阶段; MS基本培养基更有利于西洋参不定根的诱导,可能与MS培养基中矿质元素含量高有关;当培养基中IBA浓度达到2 mg·L^-1时,外植体表面上不定根分布密度大,诱导率达到(96±3.5)%;培养基中添加蔗糖到30 g·L^-1时,不定根的诱导效果最好,但继续提高浓度后不定根变短、直径变粗;培养基中NO₃^-∶NH₄⁺和PO₄^3-浓度分别为20∶10(总氮量30 mmol·L^-1)和25.0mmol·L^-1时,西洋参不定根诱导率达到最大。结果提示优化培养条件可以显著改善西洋参不定根的诱导和生长,为后续西洋参不定根规模化培养提供理论支持。     

Elemental concentrations in plant tissues as influenced by low pH soils

Summary Soils influenced by acid mine drainage (pH<5.0) are characterized by low concentrations of essential nutrients and increased solubility of heavy metals. The conditions typically reduce plant establishment and growth. However, river birch (Betula nigra L.) is commonly found along low pH streams in southeastern Ohio. The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of Al, Mn, Ca and Mg inB. nigra tissues.The results indicate Al and Mn are accumulating inB. nigra when compared to other species. Within river birch, Al concentrations are highest in roots; Mn concentrations are highest in leaves. There is not a concomitant reduction in Ca and Mg concentrations as suggested by soil levels.     

Aluminum stress on sorghum growth and nutrient relationships

Summary Sorghum plants were grown in the greenhouse in modified Steinberg nutrient solution containing ten Al rates (0 to 297 μM) and harvested 28 days after transplanting. Top and root dry weight were not affected by added Al up to 74 μM; but decreased sharply at concentration of 148 μM and greater. Aluminum concentrations in blade 1 (recently matured blade) and plants remained constant from 0 to 297 μM added Al. Root Al concentration increased as added Al increased. No correlation existed between top dry weight and Al concentration in blade 1 or in plant. Root Al concentration was related to top dry weight and root dry weight to estimate the Al critical toxicity level. The Al critical toxicity levle in the root was 54 mmol kg⁻¹ root dry weight basis for either top or root dry weight. In blade 1 Cu concentration negatively correlated with Al while Fe and P were positively correlated. In roots Ca, Mg, Mn and Fe concentrations were negatively correlated with Al while Zn, Cu, P, and K were positively correlated with Al concentration.     

Effect of various metal ions on growth of two wheat lines known to differ in aluminium tolerance

The effects of aluminium (Al), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron (B), iron (Fe), gallium (Ga), scandium (Sc) and lanthanum (La) on growth of an Al-tolerant and an Al-sensitive line of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were measured in solution culture. The concentrations of nutrients in the basal nutrient solution were (M) 500 Ca, 100 Mg, 300 K, 600 N (150 NH₄, 450 NO₃), 600 SO₄, 2.5 P, 3 B, 2.5 Fe, 0.5 Zn, 0.5 Mn, 0.1 Cu at a pH of 4.7. The major solution nutrient concentrations were maintained at the nominal concentration with monitoring, frequent additions and weekly renewal. Differentiation in yield between the Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive line only occurred in the presence of Al indicating that, in the long term, none of the other metals tested could be used as an analog for Al. The visual symptoms in the roots of Cu toxicity (in both lines) and Al toxicity (in the sensitive line) were similar. The solution concentration (M) at which yield of the roots of the tolerant line was reduced by 50% was, in order of increasing tolerance, Cu 0.5, Sc 1.1, La 7.1, Ga 8.6, Al 15, Zn 19, Fe 84, B 490 and Mn 600.     

Effects of aluminium on growth and cation uptake in seedlings of Eucalyptus mannifera and Pinus radiata

This experiment was designed to examine the effects of aluminium (Al) on the growth of Pinus radiata (D. Don) and Eucalyptus mannifera subsp. mannifera (Mudie) seedlings in culture solutions in a glasshouse to help explain the failure of radiata pine trees on some acid, low fertility soils in Australia on which the native eucalypts flourish. Aluminium (Al) in culture solution increased the growth of roots and shoots of seedlings of both species but while growth of the eucalypt continued to increase with increases in Al to 2.222 μM, growth of the pine was largest at 370 μM Al. In addition to total root length, specific root length (length per unit dry weight), a measure of fineness of the root, increased in the eucalypt seedlings as the substrate Al increased. Growth of the shoots and roots of the pine in the absence of any added Al was extremely poor suggesting that Al, in low concentrations, may be an essential element or ameliorate some other factors in solution culture at low pH. Root and shoot concentrations of K increased with increasing Al, whilst Ca and Mg Concentrations decreased and Mn concentrations were unaffected in both species. Tissue Ca and Mg concentrations were 2 to 3 times higher in the eucalypt seedlings than the pine at all levels of added Al due to greater uptake of these elements by the eucalypt. In contrast, at the highest concentration of Al in the medium, shoot Al concentrations were lower in the cucalypt than in the pine due to a greater proportion of Al being retained in the eucalypt roots. These differences between the seedlings in terms of root growth and tissue cation concentrations may help explain the ability of eucalypt species to maintain vigorous growth on acid soils high in Al and low in Ca and P, where growth of the pines failed.     

The effect of aluminium and media on the growth of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal highbush blueberry plantlets

A factorial experiment was conducted to determine the effect of aluminium (0 and 600M) and media (sand, and 1:1 sand:soil) on mycorrhizal (M) and non-mycorrhizal (NM) highbush blueberry plantlets. There were no differences in nutrient uptake and total plant dry weight between M and NM plantlets. However, more root growth, as determined by dry weight, was observed in M than NM plantlets. The plantlets growing in sand had more dry weight than did those in the soil medium. Although the root growth and shoot growth were reduced by the 600M Al treatment, the direct effect of Al on plantlet growth was not clear due to Al and P interactions. Plant nutrient uptake was reduced by high concentrations of Al, suggesting that high Al concentration limited the ability of roots to acquire most of the nutrients. Mycorrhizal cortical cell infection levels of 15–20% wene maintained in the roots in soil medium but decreased to about 5% over the 6 weeks of the experiment in the sand medium. Although M plantlets accumulated more Al in their roots, Al was readily transported to the leaf tissues of M and NM plantlets.     

Chromium Differentially Affects Hydrogen Peroxide Distribution in Primary and Adventitious Roots of <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> L.

The post-embryonic growth of the Arabidopsis thaliana root system can be modified by different types of stress, such as sublethal concentrations of metals, which may induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, the effects of different concentrations of potassium chromate (K_₂CrO₄) on the distribution and relative quantity of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were determined in primary and adventitious roots in A. thaliana HyPer line seedlings. This line has a biosensor that specifically reports H₂O₂ levels within tissues as fluorescence. Primary root growth was inhibited at 100 μM Cr (VI); in contrast, adventitious root formation was induced over the main root growth axis. These structures proliferated from 100-160 μM Cr (VI), and much higher concentrations (180-200 μM) of K_₂CrO₄ were required to affect their growth. The H₂O₂ distributions were observed in the columella and lateral root cap of primary roots of plants grown in medium lacking dichromate, but following the development of toxicity symptoms, H₂O₂ changed its distribution to the meristem and differentiation zones. Conversely, adventitious roots had comparable H₂O₂ distribution patterns in untreated plants and those exposed to Cr (VI) supplementation. Thus, differential H₂O₂ distribution correlates with the resistance of adventitious roots, but not primary roots, to dichromate and underlies cell reorganization at the apex to support growth.     

Hydrogen peroxide involvement in formation and development of adventitious roots in cucumber

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), an active oxygen species, is widely generated in many biological systems. The present study demonstrates that H₂O₂ was generated in seedling explants after the primary roots were removed, and it mediates the auxin response prior to adventitious root formation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. Ganfeng 8). When compared with the controls, treatment of cucumber seedling explants after primary roots removal with either 20–40 mM H₂O₂ or 10 μM IAA significantly increased the number of adventitious roots, and treatment with 10–50 mM H₂O₂ significantly increased the fresh weight of adventitious roots. The effects of H₂O₂ on promoting the formation and growth of adventitious roots were eliminated by 2 mM ascorbic acid, 100 U CAT or 1 μM DPI, and the effects of IAA were eliminated by 4 mM ascorbic acid, 100 U CAT or 5 μM DPI. Treatment with either 4 mM ascorbic acid or 1–5 μM DPI inhibited the formation and growth of adventitious roots, and these inhibitory effects were partly reversed by exogenous H₂O₂.Furthermore, a higher concentration of endogenous H₂O₂ was detected in seedling explants 3 h after the primary roots were removed. However, in 10 μM DPI-treated seedling explants, the concentration of endogenous H₂O₂ was markedly reduced by DPI. Results obtained suggest that H₂O₂ may function as a signaling molecule, involved in the formation and development of adventitious roots in cucumber.     

芒和荻种子对复合盐碱胁迫的生理响应

土壤盐碱化在世界范围内普遍存在,日益严峻的盐碱化形势严重威胁着植物的生长发育。芒(Miscanthus sinensis)和荻(Miscanthus sacchariflora)作为能源植物具有良好的经济效益和生态效益,并且在城市园林中已得到广泛应用。该研究以引种自辽宁省本溪阿家岭的芒和哈尔滨市太阳岛的荻为对象,模拟我国东北大庆盐碱地的低(浓度1、2)、中(浓度3)、高(浓度4、5)浓度土壤环境,分别对芒和荻的种子进行复合盐碱胁迫处理,对芒和荻的种子萌发情况进行研究。结果表明：(1)复合盐碱胁迫处理下,芒种子的发芽率随着复合盐碱浓度的升高而降低,发芽势、活力指数、发芽指数、胚根长度、胚芽长度、胚根鲜重、胚芽鲜重和耐盐碱指数均先升高后降低;荻种子的发芽率、发芽势、活力指数、发芽指数、胚根长度、胚芽长度、胚根鲜重、胚芽鲜重和耐盐碱指数均随着复合盐碱浓度的升高而降低。(2)芒和荻的种子能够抵抗低、中浓度的复合盐碱胁迫处理,当高浓度的复合盐碱胁迫处理时,各项指标均下降明显,且芒种子的各项指标均优于荻种子,说明芒种子比荻种子更耐盐碱。该研究结果基本界定芒荻种子的复合盐碱耐受范围,为今后芒荻类能源植物的耐盐碱性筛选和在园林中的应用提供了理论依据。     

Contribution of constitutive characteristics of lipids and phenolics in roots of tree species in Myrtales to aluminum tolerance

High aluminum (Al) concentration in soil solution is the most important factor restricting plant growth in acidic soils. However, various plant species naturally grow in such soils. Generally, they are highly tolerant to Al, but organic acid exudation, the most common Al tolerance mechanism, cannot explain their tolerance. Lower phospholipid and higher sterol proportions in root plasma membrane enhance Al tolerance. Other cellular components, such as cell walls and phenolics, may also be involved in Al tolerance mechanisms. In this study, the relationships between these cellular components and the Al tolerance mechanisms in Melastoma malabathricum and Melaleuca cajuputi, both highly Al‐tolerant species growing in strongly acidic soils, were investigated. Both species contained lower proportions of phospholipids and higher proportions of sterols in roots, respectively. Concentrations of phenolics in roots of both species were higher than that of rice; their phenolics could form chelates with Al. In these species, phenolic concentrations and composition were the same irrespective of the presence or absence of Al in the medium, suggesting that a higher concentration of phenolics is not a physiological response to Al but a constitutive characteristic. These characteristics of cellular components in roots may be cooperatively involved in their high Al tolerance.     

Role of aluminum-binding ligands in aluminum resistance of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Melaleuca cajuputi

We investigated the roles of Al-binding ligands in Al exclusion from roots and in internal Al detoxification in roots as Al resistance mechanisms in two Al-resistant Myrtaceae trees, Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. and Melaleuca cajuputi Powell. The amounts of ligands secreted from roots and contained in root tips of these species were compared with those of an Al-sensitive species, Melaleuca bracteata F. Muell., after the roots were exposed to 0 or 1 mM AlCl₃ solution. Secretion of well-known ligands (citrate, oxalate, and malate) from roots under Al treatment was low in all species. However, in E. camaldulensis, the Al-binding capacity of root exudates under Al treatment was considerable and was higher than that in M. bracteata. Gel filtration chromatography revealed that a low-molecular-weight Al-binding ligand was secreted from roots in response to Al only in E. camaldulensis. On the other hand, the Al-binding capacity of cell sap in root tips under Al treatment was similar for the resistant and sensitive species. These results suggest that Al exclusion by secretion of the unknown low-molecular-weight Al-binding ligand from roots contributes to the Al resistance of E. camaldulensis, whereas M. cajuputi has developed Al-resistance mechanisms other than secretion of ligands from roots or concentration of internal ligands in root tips.     

Genotype-dependent effects of phosphorus supply on physiological and biochemical responses to Al-stress in cultivated and Tibetan wild barley

Aluminium (Al) toxicity and phosphorus (P) deficiency often co-exist in acidic soils and limit plant growth and crop production. To investigate the alleviating effects of different levels of phosphorus on Al stress, greenhouse hydroponic experiments were conducted using two contrasting Tibetan wild barley genotypes XZ16 and XZ61 of Al tolerant and sensitive, respectively, and Al tolerant cv. Dayton. The results showed that Al stress induced reduction in P accumulation in plants; and stem and leaf P concentrations of the three genotypes, except of XZ16 under HP + Al (100 µM Al with high level of 360 µM P) which was close to the control level. XZ16 recorded significantly higher P accumulation in plants, compared with XZ61 and Dayton, and P concentrations in leaves under Al stress, and in stems under NP + Al (100 µM Al with normal level of 180 µM P) and HP + Al. Meanwhile, H⁺-, Ca²⁺Mg²⁺-, and Total- ATPase activities in XZ16 and Dayton under Al stress were markedly higher than in XZ61. Normal or high level of P under Al stress could relieve Al stress as enhanced plant biomass, with increased photosystem II photochemistry (Fv/Fm) and P content, relative to the low level of 90 µM P. Compared with XZ61, addition of high P concentration for XZ16 significantly increased the values of Gs and Tr, with higher root GPX and H⁺-ATPase activities, and such nutrient elements as P, Mg and Ca in stems and leaves, and induced more malate secretion, but less MDA accumulation.