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.     

Does exogenous application of ascorbic acid modulate growth,photosynthetic pigments and oxidative defense in okra (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Abelmoschus esculentus</Emphasis> (L.) Moench) under lead stress?

Seed priming increases tolerance of plants against various environmental stresses. Although ample literature is available that depicts the beneficial effects of priming under different environmental stresses, the information on induction of tolerance to Pb stress through seed priming with ascorbic acid (AsA) is limited. Therefore, this study was performed to examine the effect of seed priming with AsA (50 and 100 mg L^?1), hydropriming and without priming (control) on physiochemical processes of okra cultivars (Subz-Pari and Arka Anamika) under Pb stress (0, 100 mg L^?1). Pb stress caused a considerable decline in plant growth and photosynthetic pigments. Contrarily, Pb stress exhibited rise in the contents of total amino acids, free proline, total soluble proteins and AsA. The POD, CAT, and SOD activities were recorded highest at 100 mg L^?1 of Pb. Moreover, Pb stress markedly increased H₂O₂ and MDA levels that triggered oxidative stress. However, plants raised from seed primed with AsA and water exhibited better growth and had higher chlorophylls, free proline, total proteins, total amino acids, AsA and activities of enzymatic antioxidants. Priming with AsA (50 mg L^?1) induced better tolerance to Pb stress in okra plants. Plants of cv. Arka Anamika exhibited greater tolerance to Pb than that of cv. Subz-Pari as was evident from higher plant fresh and dry masses.     

Gene expression profiling in maize roots under aluminum stress

To investigate the molecular mechanisms of Al toxicity, cross-species cDNA array approach was employed to identify expressed sequence tags (ESTs) regulated by Al stress in root tips of Al-tolerant maize (Zea mays) genotype Cat100-6 and Al-sensitive genotype S1587-17. Due to the high degree of conservation observed between sugarcane and maize, we have analyzed the expression profiling of maize genes using 2 304 sugarcane (ESTs) obtained from different libraries. We have identified 85 ESTs in Al stressed maize root tips with significantly altered expression. Among the up-regulated ESTs, we have found genes encoding previously identified proteins induced by Al stress, such as phenyl ammonia-lyase, chitinase, Bowman-Birk proteinase inhibitor, and wali7. In addition, several novel genes up-and downregulated by Al stress were identified in both genotypes.     

氧化铈纳米颗粒种子引发对盐胁迫下辣椒种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

氧化铈纳米颗粒(CeO₂NP_S),因具有较强的自由基清除能力和抗氧化酶特性,已被证明可提高植物的耐盐性,但其对辣椒种子引发作用和机制尚不明确。为揭示CeO₂NP_S种子引发处理辣椒对盐胁迫下的萌发及幼苗生长的影响,以辣椒品种(Capsicum annuum)茂蔬360为试验材料,设置了7个CeO₂NP_S浓度(0、0.05、0.1、0.2、0.3、0.4、0.5 mmol·L^-1),以未引发处理组为对照,研究不同浓度CeO₂NP_S种子引发处理后对盐胁迫下辣椒种子萌发、幼苗生物量和生理生化指标的影响。结果表明:(1)0.5 mmol·L^-1 CeO₂NP_S种子引发处理后的种子,其可溶性蛋白质、脯氨酸含量和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、抗坏血酸(AsA)含量和AsA/DHA比值显著提高,超氧阴离子(O₂^-)含量显著降低; 盐胁迫下,该处理种子的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数最大。(2)0.4 mmol·L^-1 CeO₂NP_S种子引发处理的幼苗在盐胁迫下的鲜重、干重和根长最大,幼苗的可溶性蛋白质、AsA含量和AsA/DHA比值均显著提高。综上认为,CeO₂NP_S引发处理不仅可通过降低种子水势、促进贮藏物质代谢和提高抗氧化能力提高种子在盐胁迫下的发芽率,还可在苗期通过增强蛋白合成和抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环(AsA-GSH)促进盐胁迫下幼苗的生长。     

Effect of pretreatment with hydrogen sulfide donor sodium hydrosulfide on heat tolerance in relation to antioxidant system in maize (Zea mays) seedlings

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a signal molecule that is involved in plant growth, development and the acquisition of stress tolerance including heat tolerance, but the mechanism of H₂S-induced heat tolerance is not completely clear. In present study, the effect of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a H₂S donor, treatment on heat tolerance of maize seedlings in relation to antioxidant system was investigated. The results showed that NaHS treatment improved survival percentage of maize seedlings under heat stress in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that H₂S treatment could improve heat tolerance of maize seedlings. To further study mechanism of NaHS-induced heat tolerance, catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities, and glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (AsA) contents in maize seedlings were determined. The results showed that NaHS treatment increased the activities of CAT, GPX, SOD and GR, and GSH and AsA contents as well as the ratio of reduced antioxidants to total antioxidants [AsA/(AsA+DHA) and GSH/(GSH +GSSG)] in maize seedlings under normal culture conditions compared with the control. Under heat stress, antioxidant enzymes activities, antioxidants contents and the ratio of the reduced antioxidants to total antioxidants in control and treated seedlings all decreased, but NaHS-treated seedlings maintained higher antioxidant enzymes activities and antioxidants levels as well as the ratio of reduced antioxidants to total antioxidants. All of above-mentioned results suggested that NaHS treatment could improve heat tolerance of maize seedlings, and the acquisition of this heat tolerance may be relation to enhanced antioxidant system activity.     

Boron-induced amelioration of aluminium toxicity in a monocot and a dicot species

Previous research has reported inconsistent results from experiments on the influence of boron (B) on plant sensitivity to potentially toxic aluminium (Al) concentrations. Differences in B requirement and cell wall properties among species, especially between Poaceae and dicots, may account for this. This investigation reports amelioration by B of Al-induced inhibition of root elongation in Al-sensitive cucumber (Cucumis sativus), but not in Al-sensitive maize (Zea mays). Vital staining, however, also revealed a positive influence of B supply on Al tolerance in maize. In both species, adequate B supply decreased Al-induced damage of cell integrity. In cucumber, increasing B supply enhanced Al concentrations and haematoxylin staining in root tips. In maize, no differences for root Al among B treatments were observed. These results indicate that the positive effect of B on Al resistance was not due to less Al accumulation in root tips. Enhanced concentrations of reduced glutathione were found in roots of Al-stressed maize plants growing with adequate B. It is concluded that adequate B supply is essential for prevention of Al toxicity in both the dicot and the monocot species. In dicot cucumber, the B-induced amelioration of root elongation, despite higher Al accumulation in root tips, indicates B-induced change in either or both Al speciation and compartmentation in the tips. The protection by an adequate B supply of roots against Al-induced cell death suggests a role for B in the defence against oxidative stress. This is supported by the observation that Al induced enhanced levels of GSH in roots of maize plants growing with adequate B supply but not in those growing with either deficient or excess B concentrations.     

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.     

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。     

Aluminum-induced citric acid secretion is not the sole mechanism of Al-resistance in maize

Aluminum-induced citric acid (CA) root secretion is a widely accepted mechanism to explain Al-resistance in maize. Nonetheless, several aspects of this mechanism remain controversial. In this study, we used paclobutrazol (PBZ), a plant growth retardant, to gain new insights into the relationship between Δ⁵-sterol composition, membrane permeability, (PM) H⁺-ATPase activity and CA secretion in an Al-sensitive (UFVM-100) and Al-resistant (UFVM-200) maize genotypes challenged with Al. The Al-sensitive genotype displayed greater concentrations of Al in the root tips and greater inhibition of root elongation (RE), which was accompanied by greater electrolyte leakage and greater reduction in the Δ⁵-sterols content after Al treatment. CA secretion by roots increased in both genotypes after Al treatment but to a greater extent in the Al-resistant genotype. The (PM) H⁺-ATPase activity was down-regulated in the sensitive cultivar and up-regulated in its resistant counterpart upon Al treatment. A significant correlation between (PM) H⁺-ATPase activity and CA secretion was observed, but only in the Al-resistant genotype. Upon adding PBZ to the Al-treated plants, differences in the RE and Δ⁵-sterol composition between the maize genotypes were fully abolished, whereas genotypic differences in CA secretion and (PM) H⁺-ATPase activity were reduced but not completely eliminated. Taken together, this information suggests the existence of other processes or mechanisms operating in the Al resistance in these two maize genotypes.     

Overexpression of dehydroascorbate reductase, but not monodehydroascorbate reductase, confers tolerance to aluminum stress in transgenic tobacco

Aluminum (Al) inhibits plant growth partly by causing oxidative damage that is promoted by reactive oxygen species and can be prevented by improving antioxidant capacity. Ascorbic acid (AsA), the most abundant antioxidant in plants, is regenerated by the action of monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR) and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR). We investigated the role of MDAR and DHAR in AsA regeneration during Al stress using transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants overexpressing Arabidopsis cytosolic MDAR (MDAR-OX) or DHAR (DHAR-OX). DHAR-OX plants showed better root growth than wild-type (SR-1) plants after exposure to Al for 2 weeks, but MDAR-OX plants did not. There was no difference in Al distribution and accumulation in the root tips among SR-1, DHAR-OX, and MDAR-OX plants after Al treatment for 24 h. However, DHAR-OX plants showed lower hydrogen peroxide content, less lipid peroxidation and lower level of oxidative DNA damage than SR-1 plants, whereas MDAR-OX plants showed the same extent of damage as SR-1 plants. Compared with SR-1 plants, DHAR-OX plants consistently maintained a higher AsA level both with and without Al exposure, while MDAR-OX plants maintained a higher AsA level only without Al exposure. Also, DHAR-OX plants maintained higher APX activity under Al stress. The higher AsA level and APX activity in DHAR-OX plants contributed to their higher antioxidant capacity and higher tolerance to Al stress. These findings show that the overexpression of DHAR, but not of MDAR, confers Al tolerance, and that maintenance of a high AsA level is important to Al tolerance.     

Aluminum resistance of cowpea as affected by phosphorus-deficiency stress

Plants growing in acid soils suffer both phosphorus (P) deficiency and aluminum (Al) toxicity stresses. Selection of genotypes for adaptation to either P deficiency or Al toxicity has sometimes been unsuccessful because these two soil factors often interact. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate eight cowpea genotypes for Al resistance and to study the combined effect of P deficiency and Al toxicity stress on growth, P uptake, and organic acid anion exudation of two genotypes of contrasting Al resistance selected from the first experiment. Relative root inhibition by 30 μM Al ranged from 14% to 60% and differed significantly among the genotypes. Al significantly induced callose formation, particularly in Al-sensitive genotypes. P accumulation was significantly reduced (28% and 95%) by Al application for both the Al-resistant and the Al-sensitive genotypes. Al supply significantly enhanced malate release of root apices of both genotypes. However, the exudation rate was significantly higher in the Al-resistant genotype. P deprivation induced an enhanced malate exudation in the presence of Al only in the Al-resistant genotype IT89KD-391. Citrate exudation rate of the root apices was lower than malate exudation by a factor of about 10, and was primarily enhanced by P deficiency in both genotypes. Al treatment further enhanced citrate exudation in P-sufficient, but not in P-deficient plants. The level of citrate exudation was consistently higher in the Al-resistant genotype IT89KD-391 particularly in presence of Al.It is concluded that the Al-resistant genotype is better adapted to acid Al-toxic and P-deficient soils than the Al-sensitive genotype since both malate and citrate exudation were more enhanced by combined Al and P-deficiency stresses.     

Anaerobic metabolism enzymes as markers of flooding stress in maize seeds

Maize (Zea mays L.) seeds differ in their relative tolerance to the anaerobic environment caused by flooding. Seed tolerance to flooding stress depends on cellular and metabolic processes since gross anatomical responses have not developed at the pre-emergence stage. The study reported here characterizes the activities of four anaerobic respiratory enzymes: pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and malic enzyme (ME) in the flood-tolerant A632 and floodsusceptible Mo 17 inbred maize seeds during flooding at 10 and 25°C. Each inbred consisted of two seed lots possessing 95% and 75% germination levels. Flooding increased the activities of all four enzymes. However, no consistent correlation between anaerobic enzyme activity and flood tolerance was observed across genotype, seed quality and flooding temperature. The results indicate that it may not be feasible to use whole-seed anaerobic enzyme activities to predict maize seed performance under flooding stress. Contribution from the Soil Drainage Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Columbus, OH, in cooperation with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University. OARDC Journal Article No. 66–86.     

Exogenous melatonin expediently modifies proteome of maize (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.) embryo during seed germination

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) has a great potential for plant biostimulation. Its role in plant physiology is intensively explored, and its important function in plant stress defence frequently underlined. Melatonin is particularly effective when applied as an additional factor of seed priming. In the presented research, hydroconditioning was chosen experimentally as optimal for maize (Zea mays L.) seeds. The following seed variants were compared: controlled non-treated, hydroprimed with water and hydroprimed with melatonin solutions 50 and 500 μM. To identify modifications in proteome of maize seeds caused by the applied hydroconditioning techniques, protein extracts of germinated seed embryos (24 h, 25 °C) were separated by 2D-PAGE. Next, obtained maps of proteomes were compared (statistically and graphically) using PDQuest software, and characteristic spots of proteins were analysed qualitatively by mass-spectrometric techniques and identified in the Mascot protein databases. Research helped to identify hydropriming-associated proteins, and for the first time those which were expressed only in the presence of melatonin. Study confirmed that suitably selected pre-sowing treatment with melatonin, by embryo proteome modification, effectively prepares plants to adverse environmental conditions. In melatonin treated seeds during the initial state of embryos growth, even under optimal conditions, additional antioxidative, detoxifying, anti-stresses proteins were synthesized. Moreover, the supply of energy from seed storage substances was pretty intensified. The presented results partially explain how melatonin acts in plant stress defence, and why plants with higher melatonin content have exhibited increased capacity for stress tolerance.     

Aluminum-induced changes in reactive oxygen species accumulation, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity in wheat root tips

The present study investigated the effects of aluminum on lipid peroxidation, accumulation of reactive oxygen species and antioxidative defense systems in root tips of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings. Exposure to 30 μM Al increased contents of malondialdehyde, H₂O₂, suproxide radical and Evans blue uptake in both genotypes, with increases being greater in Al-sensitive genotype Yangmai-5 than in Al-tolerant genotype Jian-864. In addition, Al treatment increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), as well as the contents of ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) in both genotypes. The increased activities SOD and POD were greater in Yangmai-5 than in Jian-864, whereas the opposite was true for the activities of CAT, APX, MDHAR, GR and GPX and the contents of AsA and GSH. Consequently, the antioxidant capacity in terms of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) was greater in Jian-864 than in Yangmai-5.     

Selenium (Se) Seed Priming Induced Growth and Biochemical Changes in Wheat Under Water Deficit Conditions

Insufficient stand establishment at early growth stages in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) due to drought stress is a major problem that limits overall efficiency and yield of crop. Priming of seed is an effective method for raising seed performance and improving tolerance of crops to abiotic stresses especially drought. The seeds of two local wheat cultivars (Kohistan-97 and Pasban-90) were soaked in distilled water or sodium selenate solutions of 25, 50, 75, and 100 μM for 1/2 or 1 h at 25 °C and later re-dried to their original moisture levels before sowing. One-hour priming significantly increased root length stress tolerance index, dry matter stress tolerance index, and total biomass of seedlings; however, no significant effect of changing duration of Se seed priming was observed on plant height stress tolerance index and shoot/root ratio. Among cultivars, Kohistan-97 was found to be more responsive to Se seed treatment as 1 h priming at 100 μM significantly increased its total biomass by 43 % as compared to control treatment. Although biomass of seedlings was not affected with Se seed priming under normal conditions, but it increased significantly with increase in rates of Se under drought stress conditions. One-hour priming at 75 μM increased the total sugar content and total free amino acids in both wheat cultivars. A more significant decrease in soluble proteins of seedlings was observed by 1 h priming than 1/2 h priming under drought stress conditions.     

Aspirin priming circumvents the salinity-induced effects on wheat emergence and seedling growth by regulating starch metabolism and antioxidant enzyme activities

Though seed priming has been emerged as an effective and pragmatic approach, efforts are being made to discover and optimize the new priming agents which are cheaper and easily accessible to the farmers. Here, we established two independent experiments, to ascertain the role of aspirin priming in salinity tolerance of wheat. In the first experiment, various concentrations of aspirin (125, 250, 375, and 500 ppm) were examined for emergence and seedling growth of wheat. A non-primed control, hydropriming, and hydrogen peroxide priming treatments were also maintained for comparison. Among the different treatments, seeds primed with 125 and 250 ppm aspirin depicted better emergence, vigorous seedling growth, and higher starch metabolism. Therefore, these treatments were further used in the second experiment under salinity stress (10 dS m^?1). Salinity stress caused delayed and erratic emergence hampered the shoot and root growth, chlorophyll contents, and enhanced the lipid peroxidation and phenolics content in wheat seedlings. However, wheat seed priming particularly with aspirin effectively alleviated the negative effects of salinity on most of the observed parameters. Aspirin priming also significantly enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase), and reduced oxidative stress in wheat seedlings. Vigorous growth and greater salinity tolerance of wheat seedlings derived from aspirin primed seeds were related with better starch metabolism, strong antioxidative defense system, and lower lipid peroxidation.     

Aluminum resistance in maize cannot be solely explained by root organic acid exudation. A comparative physiological study

Root apical aluminum (Al) exclusion via Al-activated root citrate exudation is widely accepted as the main Al-resistance mechanism operating in maize (Zea mays) roots. Nonetheless, the correlation between Al resistance and this Al-exclusion mechanism has not been tested beyond a very small number of Al-resistant and Al-sensitive maize lines. In this study, we conducted a comparative study of the physiology of Al resistance using six different maize genotypes that capture the range of maize Al resistance and differ significantly in their genetic background (three Brazilian and three North American genotypes). In these maize lines, we were able to establish a clear correlation between root tip Al exclusion (based on root Al content) and Al resistance. Both Al-resistant genotypes and three of the four Al-sensitive lines exhibited a significant Al-activated citrate exudation, with no evidence for Al activation of root malate or phosphate release. There was a lack of correlation between differential Al resistance and root citrate exudation for the six maize genotypes; in fact, one of the Al-sensitive lines, Mo17, had the largest Al-activated citrate exudation of all of the maize lines. Our results indicate that although root organic acid release may play a role in maize Al resistance, it is clearly not the only or the main resistance mechanism operating in these maize roots. A number of other potential Al-resistance mechanisms were investigated, including release of other Al-chelating ligands, Al-induced alkalinization of rhizosphere pH, changes in internal levels of Al-chelating compounds in the root, and Al translocation to the shoot. However, we were unsuccessful in identifying additional Al-resistance mechanisms in maize. It is likely that a purely physiological approach may not be sufficient to identify these novel Al-resistance mechanisms in maize and this will require an interdisciplinary approach integrating genetic, molecular, and physiological investigations.     

The impact of different seed priming agents and priming durations on stand establishment and biochemical attributes of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) is an alternative sugar crop currently gaining importance in several geographic regions of the world. Generally, crop is propagated by seeds; however, low seed germination hinders the adaptability of the crop in different cropping systems. Seed priming with different compounds improves germination of several arable crops under stressful and benign environmental conditions. This study evaluated the role of different seed priming agents and priming durations on stand establishment, allometric and yield-related traits, and steviol glycosides contents of Stevia in two different experiments. The first experiment consisted of five different seed priming agents (i.e., hydropriming with distilled water, ascorbic acid, potassium chloride, benzyl amine purine and unprimed seeds) and five priming durations (0, 8, 16, 24 and 32 h). Seed priming with potassium chloride (KCl) and benzyl amine purine (BAP) for 32 h improved stand establishment and biochemical attributes of Stevia seeds. Therefore, these two seed priming agents along with unprimed seeds were included in the second experiment to quantify their impact on allometric and yield-related traits and steviol glycosides contents. Seed priming with both KCl and BAP resulted in better allometric traits (plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area and chlorophyll index) compared with unprimed seeds. Similarly, seed priming with KCl resulted in higher fresh and dry biomass production of stem and leaves. Nonetheless, higher stevioside and rebaudioside A contents were recorded for the seeds primed with KCl, whereas unprimed seeds resulted in the lowest values. It is concluded that Stevia seeds must be primed with KCl for 32 h before sowing to get higher seed germination, leaf yield and steviol glycosides contents. Nonetheless, the role of KCl priming in improving abiotic stress tolerance of Stevia must be explored in the future studies.