The effect of soil moisture on the tolerance of Lupinus pilosus genotypes to a calcareous soil

Commercial narrow-leafed lupins (Lupinus angustifolius L.) grown on calcareous soils commonly display chlorotic symptoms resembling Fe deficiency. The severity of chlorosis increases with concurrent increases in soil moisture content. Our research has indicated that the rough-seeded lupin species, Lupinus pilosus Murr., has a range of adaptation to calcareous soils, from tolerant to intolerant. A pot experiment was conducted comparing a tolerant, a moderately tolerant and a moderately intolerant genotype of L. pilosus. Plants were grown for 35 days in a calcareous soil (50% CaCO₃) at three moisture contents (80%, 100% and 120% of field capacity); the growth was compared with that on a fertile black cracking clay control soil at 70% of field capacity. Visual chlorosis score, chlorophyll meter readings, number of leaves and shoot dry weights were recorded at 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after sowing. Concentrations of chlorophyll, active Fe and nutrients in the youngest fully expanded leaves were also measured. Results showed that increased soil moisture increased the severity of chlorotic symptoms (increased chlorosis score) in all genotypes. The tolerant genotype showed significantly less symptoms than other genotypes at all moisture contents. All genotypes were able to recover from chlorosis symptoms at 80% moisture in the calcareous soil. Chlorosis score negatively correlated with chlorophyll meter readings, chlorophyll concentration and foliar active and total Fe, and Mn concentrations. Visual chlorosis score appeared to be a cost effective, accurate and efficient method enabling classification of the tolerance of genotypes. The chlorotic symptoms were likely to be due to HCO₃ ^- induced nutrient deficiencies or a direct effect of HCO₃ ^- on chlorophyll synthesis. This study indicates that the most probable mechanism of tolerance is related to an ability to prevent uptake of HCO₃ ^- or efficiently sequester it once inside the root which prevents increases in internal pH and transport to the shoots.     

The effects of nutrient supply,predominantly addition of iron,and rhizobial inoculation on the tolerance of Lupinus pilosus genotypes to a calcareous soil

Two glasshouse experiments were conducted to examine the effects of nutrient supply and rhizobial inoculation on the performance of Lupinus pilosus genotypes differing in tolerance to calcareous soils. In experiment 1, plants were grown for 84 days in a calcareous soil (50% CaCO₃; soil water content 90% of field capacity) at four nutrient treatments (no-added nutrients, added nutrients without Fe, added nutrients with soil applied FeEDDHA, added nutrients with foliar applied FeSO₄). In experiment 2, plants were grown for 28 days with supply of NH₄NO₃ without inoculation or inoculated with Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lupinus). Chlorosis in the youngest leaves was a good indicator of the relative tolerance of the genotypes to the calcareous soil in both experiments, except the treatment with FeEDDHA at 5 mg kg^–1 soil which was toxic to all genotypes. Chlorosis scores correlated with chlorophyll meter readings and chlorophyll concentrations. The foliar application of FeSO₄ did not fully alleviate chlorotic symptoms despite concentrations of active or total Fe in the youngest leaves being increased. Adding nutrients and chemical nitrogen did not change the severity of chlorosis or improve the growth of the plant. The nutrient supply did not alter the ranking of tolerance of genotypes to the calcareous soil. The results suggest that nutrient deficiency or poor nodulation was not a major cause of poor plant growth on calcareous soils and that bicarbonate may exert a direct effect on chlorophyll synthesis. The mechanism for tolerance is likely to be related to an ability to exclude bicarbonate or prevent its transport to the leaves.     

Investigations into the exploitation of heterogeneous soils by Lupinus albus L. and L. pilosus Murr. and the effect upon plant growth

In calcareous soils, genotypes of Lupinus albus L. generally grow poorly, resulting in stunted plants that often develop lime-induced chlorosis. In contrast, some genotypes of L. pilosus Murr. occur naturally in calcareous soils without developing any visible symptoms of stress. Some genotypic variation for tolerance to calcareous soil does exist in L. albus and the tolerance mechanisms need to be determined. The adaptation through root system morphological plasticity of L. albus and L. pilosus, to heterogeneous limed soil profiles (pH 7.8) containing either patches of acid (non-limed) soil, or vertically split between acid and limed soil, was investigated. When grown in the presence of patches of acid soil, L. albus had a 52% greater shoot dry weight and visibly greener leaves compared with plants grown in the homogeneous limed soil. Total root dry matter in the acid-soil patches was greater than in the control limed-soil patches. This was due to a four-fold increase in the cluster root mass, accounting for 95% of the root dry matter in the acid-soil patch. Although these cluster roots secreted no more citric acid per unit mass than those in the limed soil did, their greater mass resulted in a higher citrate concentration in the surrounding soil. L. pilosus responded to the patches of acid soil in a manner comparable with L. albus. When grown in the homogeneous limed soil, L. pilosus had a greater maximum net CO₂ assimilation rate (P_max) than L. albus, however, the P_max of both species increased after they had accessed a patch of acid soil. Differences were apparent between the L. albus genotypes grown in soil profiles split vertically into limed and acid soil. A genotype by soil interaction occurred in the partitioning between soils of the cluster roots. The genotype La 674 was comparable with L. pilosus and produced over 11% of its cluster roots in the limed soil, whereas the other genotypes produced only 1–3% of their cluster roots in the limed soil. These results indicate L. pilosus is better adapted to the limed soil than L. albus, but that both species respond to a heterogeneous soil by producing mainly cluster roots in an acid-soil patch. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Stress-induced changes in the root architecture of white lupin (Lupinus albus) in response to pH, bicarbonate, and calcium in liquid culture

Current agronomic cultivars of white lupin (Lupinus albus) are intolerant of calcareous or limed soils. In these soils, high pH, bicarbonate (HCO₃^?), and calcium (Ca) concentrations are the major chemical stresses to the root system. To determine the responses of the root system to these factors, evaluate root architecture, and compare genotypes for tolerance, a series of liquid culture experiments was completed using root chambers that allowed the study of the root system in two dimensions. Each stress condition caused changes in different parts of the root system and there was no generalised stress response. HCO₃^? (5 mM) had the greatest effect on cultivars intolerant of calcareous soil; it decreased the dry weight of the shoot and caused the highest percentage of tap root deaths. HCO₃^? also discriminated between short (determinate) and long (indeterminate) roots, as it decreased the number and density of the determinate roots only. Calcium (3 mM) affected all parts of the root system. The tap root was shortened and showed an increased tortuousness in its path compared with 1 mM Ca, although no plants suffered tap root death. The numbers and densities of the two lateral root forms were also decreased, as were the lengths of the indeterminate roots. Stress from alkaline pH (7.5) media caused a lower number and density of determinate lateral roots to be produced than at pH 6.5. The experiments demonstrated that each culture condition elicited a definable stress response. Stress conditions altered the root architecture of genotypes reported to be tolerant of calcareous soil less than in intolerant genotypes. Although soil is more complex than liquid culture, it is possible that in a calcareous or limed soil each stress condition examined may affect the overall stress of the plant, and increased tolerance may result from tolerance to a single stress.     

Variation in the growth of lupin species and genotypes on alkaline soil

Commercial lupins grow poorly on alkaline and neutral fine-textured soils. Genotypic variation exists among lupins. The present study compared the growth of 13 lupin genotypes, including introduced cultivars and wild types, in an alkaline loamy soil and an acid loamy soil.Plants grown in the alkaline and acid soils did not show obvious symptoms of iron deficiency at any stage. There was however a large variation of shoot fresh weight among genotypes in response to the alkaline soil with L. atlanticus and L. pilosus being more tolerant than L. luteus, L. cosentinii, L. albus and L. angustifolius. Some variation also existed among genotypes of L. angustifolius. In addition, root growth was retarded on the alkaline soil except for L. atlanticus, L. pilosus P20955 and L. albus Kiev mutant. In the alkaline soil, root growth at week 2 correlated well with the shoot fresh weight at week 12. The results suggest that early root elongation may be useful for screening tolerant genotypes for alkaline soils.     

Effects of pH and bicarbonate on the nutrient status and growth of three Lupinus species

Aims

High pH, and high bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) and calcium (Ca) availability characterise calcareous soils. High [Ca] only partially explains why some Lupinus species are calcifuge, so we explored high [HCO₃⁻] and high pH.

Methods

We grew six Lupinus genotypes in hydroponics with pH 5, 6.5 and 8^a (adjusted by KOH), and 8^b (adjusted by KHCO₃). Leaf symptoms and areas, root appearance and biomass were recorded; whole leaf and root nutrient concentrations, and leaf cellular phosphorus (P), Ca and potassium (K) concentrations were determined using elemental X-ray microanalysis.

Results

Chlorosis was observed in young leaves at high pH for L. angustifolius and L. cosentinii, and P deficiency at high pH for all genotypes. High pH decreased iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) uptake in all genotypes. It also decreased lateral root growth, the uptake of P, K, Ca, and manganese (Mn) by all sensitive species; and translocation of P, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Ca to leaves in most sensitive species. However, leaf [Ca], leaf [K], [K] within each measured cell type, and translocation of K and Ca to leaves of L. pilosus and L. cosentinii at pH 8 were greater than at pH 5 and 6.5. Compared with pH 8^a, all L. angustifolius genotypes translocated more P, Fe, Zn, Mn and K from roots to leaves at pH 8^b. High pH did not affect the leaf cell types that accumulated P and Ca, but decreased the leaf cellular [P].

Conclusions

Lupinus angustifolius and L. cosentinii were sensitive to high [HCO₃⁻] and/or high pH; L. pilosus was relatively tolerant. High pH decreased lateral root growth and nutrient uptake, inhibiting growth of sensitive species. High [HCO₃⁻] diminished the negative effect of pH 8 on nutrient translocation to leaves in most L. angustifolius genotypes. This knowledge provides critical insights into the habits of Lupinus species to guide breeding of calcicole plants.

     

Lupinus species differ in their requirements for iron

The effect of iron supply on the growth and nodulation ofLupinus angustifolius L. (Gungurru),Lupinus luteus L. (R-1171) andLupinus pilosus Murr. (P20957) was studied in acid solutions. Plants of the three species were grown together in the same solution and inoculated withBradyrhizobium (Lupinus) WU 425. Plants were then grown with or without applied NH₄NO₃. The lupin species differed greatly in their sensitivity to low iron concentrations in solution withL. pilosus being most tolerant andL. luteus most sensitive.L. pilosus had the highest iron concentration in tissues and had a higher ratio of iron concentration in the youngest fully expanded leaf blades (YEB) to that in roots than the other two species.L. luteus had higher iron concentrations in roots but lower iron concentration in YEB and shoots than didL. angustifolius. The requirements of internal iron for the maximal chlorophyll synthesis in YEB were 65 μg g^-1 forL. angustifolius andL. luteus, and 52 μg g^-1 forL. pilosus. In contrast to effects on growth, the three species had similar external iron requirements for nodule formation in roots and for maximal nitrogen concentrations in shoots. The results indicate that iron tolerant lupin species require lower internal and external iron supply and have a greater ability than sensitive species to translocate iron from roots to shoots.     

The development of potential screens based on shoot calcium and iron concentrations for the evaluation of tolerance in Egyptian genotypes of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) to limed soils

European cultivars of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) grow poorly in limed or calcareous soils. However, Egyptian genotypes are grown successfully in highly calcareous soil and show no stress symptoms. To examine their physiological responses to alkaline soil and develop potential screens for tolerance, three experiments were conducted in limed and non-limed (neutral pH) soil. Measurements included net CO2 uptake, and the partitioning of Fe2+ and Fe3+ and soluble and insoluble Ca in stem and leaf tissue. Intolerant plants showed clear symptoms of stress, whereas stress in the Egyptian genotypes and in L pilosus Murr. (a tolerant species) was less marked. Only the intolerant plants became chlorotic and this contributed to their reduced net CO2 uptake in the limed soil. In contrast, Egyptian genotypes and L pilosus showed no change in net CO2 uptake between the soils. The partitioning of Ca and Fe either resulted from the stress responses, or was itself a stress response. L pilosus and some Egyptian genotypes differed in soluble Ca concentrations compared with the intolerant cultivars, although no significant difference was apparent in the Ca partitioning of the Egyptian genotype Giza 1. In a limed soil, Giza 1 maintained its stem Fe3+ concentration at a level comparable with that of plants grown in non-limed soil, whereas stem [Fe3+] of an intolerant genotype increased. Gizal increased the percentage of plant Fe that was Fe2+ in its leaf tissue under these conditions; that of the intolerant genotype was reduced. The potential tolerance of the Egyptian genotypes through these mechanisms and the possibility of nutritional-based screens are discussed.     

Rapid evaluation of sorghum for aluminum tolerance

Two screening methods tested in this study were based on the observation that roots of freshly germinated seeds exhibit their relative tolerance to Al during the first 48 hours of growth. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) varieties were evaluated using toxic/nontoxic soil pairs in petri dishes and toxic/nontoxic solution pairs in a flowing aqueous system. The soils had 0, 61, and 72% Al saturation and the solutions had 0, 1.85 and 3.70 M l^–1 Al from AlCl₃ and 0.25 mM l^–1 Ca from Ca(NO₃)₂. Relative root lengths in both systems correctly differentiated 13 genotypes of known Al tolerance into tolerant and intolerant groups. Twenty six other sorghums genotypes were also screened using genotypes of known Al reactions as checks. The soil with 72% Al saturation and the 1.85 M l^–1 Al solution gave the highest correlation between the two systems and both effectively arrayed sorghums of known and unknown tolerance. For routine screening the authors prefer the soil system for its simplicity, efficiency, and use of a natural growth medium.Journal paper 11637. Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station, Lafayette, Indiana. Contribution from the Agronomy Department.     

Tolerance to ion toxicities enhances wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield in waterlogged acidic soils

Aims

The high concentrations of Mn, Fe and Al in acid soils during waterlogging impair root and shoot growth more severely in intolerant than tolerant wheat genotypes. This study aims to establish whether this difference in vegetative growth and survival during waterlogging (1) is verifiable across a range of tolerant/intolerant genotypes and acid soils, and (2) results in improved recovery after cessation of waterlogging and enhanced grain yield.

Methods

Wheat genotypes contrasting in their tolerance to ion toxicities were grown in four acid soils until 63DAS and maturity, with a 42-day waterlogging treatment imposed at 21 DAS.

Results

The shoot Al, Mn and Fe concentrations increased by up to 5-, 3- and 9-fold respectively due to waterlogging in various soils. Compared to the intolerant lines, Al-, Mn- and Fe-tolerant genotypes maintained a relatively lower increase in shoot concentrations of Al (79 vs. 117%), Mn (90 vs. 101%) and Fe (171 vs. 252%) and demonstrated better waterlogging tolerance at the vegetative stage expressed in relative root (38% vs. 25%) and shoot (62% vs. 52%) growth. After cessation of waterlogging and the continued growth to maturity, tolerant genotypes maintained a relatively lower plant concentration of Al, Mn and Fe, but produced a higher above-ground biomass (74% vs. 56%) and most importantly demonstrated improved waterlogging tolerance (a relative grain yield of 78% vs. 54%) compared to intolerant genotypes. Maturity following waterlogging stress was delayed less in tolerant than intolerant genotypes (114 vs. 124%, respectively), which would reduce the potential yield loss where post-anthesis coincides with drought.

Conclusions

The results confirm the validity of a novel approach of enhancing waterlogging tolerance of wheat genotypes grown in acid soil via increased tolerance to ion toxicities.     

pH above 6.0 reduces nodulation in Lupinus species

Lupinus angustifolius and Lupinus pilosus differ substantially in root growth in response to high solution pH with L. angustifolius showing much greater sensitivity to pH above 6. This study examined the effect of pH above 6 on nodulation of these two species in buffered solution. Shoot weight and root weight and length in L. pilosus was not significantly affected by pH, whereas the growth of shoots and roots of L. angustifolius was markedly impaired by increasing pH. Total root length, the number of lateral roots, and the length of individual lateral roots were greatly decreased, resulting in decreased uptake of iron and phosphorus. In addition, L. angustifolius had a higher internal requirement for iron than L. pilosus. A solution pH above 6 decreased the number of nodule initials and nodules similarly in both species but decreased nodule mass much more in L. angustifolius. The effect of high pH on nodule formation occurred prior to that on host shoot growth. High pH also decreased nitrogen concentration and content in both species but to a greater extent for L. angustifolius. The results suggested that pH above 6 has a specific effect in the impairment of nodulation in lupins.     

Iron deficiency in chickpea in the Mediterranean region and its control through resistant genotypes and nutrient application

Iron-deficiency chlorosis is commonly observed in some genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in the Mediterranean region of West Asia and North Africa when grown on calcareous soils. An evaluation of 3267 germplasm lines of kabuli-type chickpea for iron-deficiency chlorosis on the calcareous soil (calcium carbonate content 20%, pH8.5) of the principal research station of the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) at Tel Hadya, northern Syria, revealed that most of the lines were tolerant while only 25 lines showed susceptibility. Foliar spray of 0.5% FeSO₄ at the onset of chlorosis was effective in correcting the symptoms but did not result in significant increase in crop yield.Studies on the inheritance of resistance to iron-deficiency chlorosis revealed that the resistance was dominant and is governed by a single gene.To ensure elimination from the breeding material of chickpea genotypes inefficient in Fe-use on the calcareous soils of the Mediterranean region, a negative selection for Fe-deficiency chlorosis in the segregating populations in the field has proved effective. The method for field screening of large number of breeding lines and germplasm is described.     

Cluster-root formation and carboxylate release in three Lupinus species as dependent on phosphorus supply,internal phosphorus concentration and relative growth rate

Background and Aims

Some Lupinus species produce cluster roots in response to low plant phosphorus (P) status. The cause of variation in cluster-root formation among cluster-root-forming Lupinus species is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate if cluster-root formation is, in part, dependent on different relative growth rates (RGRs) among Lupinus species when they show similar shoot P status.

Methods

Three cluster-root-forming Lupinus species, L. albus, L. pilosus and L. atlanticus, were grown in washed river sand at 0, 7·5, 15 or 40 mg P kg⁻¹ dry sand. Plants were harvested at 34, 42 or 62 d after sowing, and fresh and dry weight of leaves, stems, cluster roots and non-cluster roots of different ages were measured. The percentage of cluster roots, tissue P concentrations, root exudates and plant RGR were determined.

Key Results

Phosphorus treatments had major effects on cluster-root allocation, with a significant but incomplete suppression in L. albus and L. pilosus when P supply exceeded 15 mg P kg⁻¹ sand. Complete suppression was found in L. atlanticus at the highest P supply; this species never invested more than 20 % of its root weight in cluster roots. For L. pilosus and L. atlanticus, cluster-root formation was decreased at high internal P concentration, irrespective of RGR. For L. albus, there was a trend in the same direction, but this was not significant.

Conclusions

Cluster-root formation in all three Lupinus species was suppressed at high leaf P concentration, irrespective of RGR. Variation in cluster-root formation among the three species cannot be explained by species-specific variation in RGR or leaf P concentration.     

A rapid hydroponic screening for aluminium tolerance in barley

Selection and breeding of crops for aluminium (Al) tolerance is a useful approach to increase production on acid soils. This requires a rapid and reliable system to discriminate between Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive genotypes. A hydroponic system was developed to screen for Al tolerance in barley (t Hordeum vulgare L.) to overcome several problems encountered in previous screening methods. Four levels of Al (5, 10, 20, and 40 t M) in 1 mt M CaCl₂ solution at pH 4.5 were used to rank lines for Al-tolerance. Each line was cultured in a different compartment to eliminate chemical and pH interactions among lines. To avoid changes in Al tolerance due to other factors such as the calcium (Ca) concentration of the solution, Al-tolerant (Atlas 66) and Al-sensitive (Scout 66) cultivars of wheat (t Triticum aestivum L.) were used as reference cultivars. Five ranks of Al tolerance from highly tolerant to highly sensitive were established by comparison with each reference. Eriochrome cyanine R staining was used for the rapid evaluation of Al tolerance. This screening system allowed classification of about 50 barley lines into five different Al tolerance groups within one week. Using this system, screening of ca. 600 barley lines from various regions of the world was conducted. Most lines were sensitive to Al, but ninety lines showed intermediate Al-tolerance. Thirty nine lines were highly sensitive to Al in solution.     

Interactions Between Nitrogen and Manganese Nutrition of Barley Genotypes Differing in Manganese Efficiency

Ammonium-fed plants may acidify the rhizosphere and thus increaseavailability of Mn in calcareous alkaline soils. The importanceof N nutrition in the differential expression of tolerance toMn deficiency among cereal genotypes is not yet clear. Two factorialexperiments testing effects of the NH₄-N/NO₃-N ratio and Mnfertilization on growth of barley genotypes differing in toleranceto Mn deficiency were conducted in two calcareous alkaline soilsin pots in a controlled environment. In the soil containing80% CaCO₃at pH 8.5, better root and shoot growth and highershoot Mn concentrations were achieved with nitrate supply, especiallyat lower rates of Mn fertilization. The Mn-efficient genotypeWeeah (tolerant of Mn deficiency) achieved better root and shootgrowth than Mn-inefficient Galleon barley (sensitive to Mn deficiency)regardless of experimental treatment. Fertilization with Mndid not influence total N concentration in barley roots andshoots. In the soil containing 5% CaCO₃at pH 7.8, ammonium-fedplants had better root and shoot growth and, at shoot Mn concentrationsabove the critical level, Mn-inefficient Galleon performed betterthan Mn-efficient Weeah barley. It appears that differentialexpression of Mn efficiency among barley genotypes is not associatedwith differences in Mn availability expected to be producedby differential rhizosphere acidification as a response to differentforms of N supply. There is an apparent preference of locallyselected barley genotypes for nitrate nutrition when grown onthe highly calcareous alkaline soils of southern Australia. Ammonium; calcareous soil; Hordeum vulgare ; manganese; nitrate; nitrogen form; nutrient efficiency; rhizosphere     

Sensitivity of different Lupinus species to calcium under a low phosphorus supply

To study mechanism underpinning the calcifuge habit of some Lupinus species, especially under low‐phosphorus (P) conditions, Lupinus species that were likely to respond differently to calcium (Ca) availability were assembled, and the sensitivity to Ca under a low‐P supply was assessed. Seven Lupinus species (9 genotypes, L. albus L. cv Kiev, L. albus L. P26766, L. angustifolius L. cv Mandelup, L. angustifolius L. P26723, L. luteus L. cv Pootalong, L. hispanicus ssp. bicolor Boiss. and Reut. P22999, L. pilosus Murr. P27440, L. cosentinii Guss. P27225, and L. atlanticus Gladst. P27219) were grown hydroponically at 10 or 6000 μM Ca. Leaf symptoms, gas exchange and biomass were recorded; leaf and root nutrient concentrations were analysed, and the leaf cell types in which Ca and P accumulated were determined using elemental X‐ray microanalyses. Calcium toxicity was demonstrated for L. angustifolius P26723, L. hispanicus ssp. bicolor. P22999, and L. cosentinii P27225, whereas the other species were tolerant of a high Ca supply under low‐P conditions. In addition, genotypic differences in Ca toxicity were found within L. angustifolius. Most Ca accumulated in the mesophyll cells in all species, whereas most P was located in epidermal cells.     

Further studies with interspecific hybridization among mediterranean/African lupin species

Summary Interspecific hybridization has a role to play in the domestication of wild species through the introgression of desirable genes from related domesticated species. Almost complete genetic isolation among the Mediterranean-African rough-seeded lupin species has hitherto ruled out introgression within that group. Recent work in Western Australia with L. atlanticus, L. cosentinii, L. pilosus and L. digitatus has nevertheless suggested that hybrid sterility may be overcome if specially selected lines of each are used in crossing. We have now selected F₂-F₅ plants and backcrosses (Bc₁; Bc₂) from L. atlanticus/L. cosentinii, some with improvement in seed fertility combined with domestication genes from either species. Relatively better F₁-F₂ plant fertility in subsequent crosses of L. atlanticus/L. digitatus than in L. atlanticus/L. cosentinii or L. digitatus/L. cosentinii indicate closer relationship between L. atlanticus and L. digitatus than in the other cross combinations. Use of embryo culture may help to overcome L. pilosus/L. atlanticus F₁ plant sterility. Some of the interspecific selections could act as genetic bridges between L. cosentinii and L. pilosus.     

Analysis of genomic region spanning <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saltol</Emphasis> using SSR markers in rice genotypes showing differential seedlings stage salt tolerance

Micro satellite markers located in the Saltol QTL of 5 Mb region (10.4–15.6 Mb) in chromosome 1 confering seedling stage salt tolerance were used to evaluate 94 rice genotypes. Out of 21, eight SSR markers at Saltol region of Chromosome were found polymorphic. Based on the phenotypic screening, 94 genotypes were grouped as highly tolerant (20), tolerant (18) moderately tolerant (32), sensitive (19) and highly sensitive (5). The marker RM3412 appears to be diagnostic of salinity tolerance and associate to salinity tolerance at seedling stage as it is closely linked to SKC gene. Based on Saltol markers study, CSR 31, CSR 38, CSR 41, CSR 32, Wild 11, CSR 18, Azgo, Pant Dhan 4, Trichi 1, CSR 10 and IR64426-4B-11-1 could not be identified as tolerant genotypes though had expressed tolerant to highly tolerant phenotype to salinity stress at seedling stage, suggesting that QTLs other than Saltol might be controlling their salinity tolerance. It is suggested that these genotypes could serve as potentially novel germplasm and could be exploited for the development of new breeding lines with high level of salinity tolerance by pyramiding of the Saltol and other QTLs.     

Effects of soil temperature on root and shoot growth traits and iron deficiency chlorosis in sorghum genotypes grown on a low iron calcareous soil

Iron deficiency chlorosis (FeDC) is a common disorder for sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] grown on alkaline calcareous soils. Four sorghum genotypes were grown in growth chambers on a low Fe (1.3 g/g DTPA-extractable), alkaline (pH 8.0), calcareous (3.87% CaCO₃ equivalent) Aridic Haplustoll to determine effects of different soil temperatures (12, 17, 22 and 27°C at a constant 27°C air temperature) on various root and shoot growth traits and development of FeDC. As soil temperature increased, leaf chlorosis became more severe, and shoot and root dry weights, root lengths, and leaf areas increased markedly. Shoot/root ratios, shoot weight/root length, leaf area/shoot weight and leaf area/root weight and root length also increased while root length/root weight decreased as soil temperature increased. Severe FeDC developed in all genotypes even though genotypes had previously shown different degrees of resistance to FeDC. Genotypes differed in most growth traits, especially dry matter yields, root lengths, and leaf areas, but most traits did not appear to be related to genotype resistance to FeDC. The most FeDC resistant genotype had the slowest growth rate and this may be a mechanism for its greater resistance to FeDC.     

Physiological responses of lupin roots to high pH

High pH seems to be a major constraint limiting the production of narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) on alkaline soils. Whereas there has been much interest in soil acidity, relatively little is known about the effect of high pH on the growth of roots of higher plants.Elongation of roots of L. angustifolius was particularly sensitive to pH6.0 compared with other species. The effect of high pH in decreasing root elongation in L. angustifolius occurred within one hour. It was via an effect on cell elongation and not cell division and the effect was readily reversible. The mechanisms of the adverse effect of high pH are unknown. The permeability ratio of K⁺ to Na⁺ in the plasma-membrane of the root cortical cells was similar in solutions of both low pH and high pH. Reduced cell growth at high pH was not associated with an inefficiency of proton extrusion to the bulk solution by roots of this species. Nevertheless, increasing buffer concentration in the external solution decreased root elongation more in L. angustifolius than in Lupinus pilosus and Pisum sativum.