Differences in sorghum cultivar root response to concomitant excess hydrogen (H+) and manganese (Mn2+) ion applications

Abstract

Abstract Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] seeds were planted into ‘white quartz flintshot’ sand and watered with 0.01M sodium acetate at pH 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, 4.5, or 4.0 plus 0, 1.4, 14.0, or 140.0 mg/L manganese (Mn2+). Cultivars used were 38M, 58M, GP‐140, SC283, SC574, 5C599, TAM428, and Funk G522DR. Lengths, fresh weights, and dry weights of roots were decreased as hydrogen (H+) or Mn2+ concentrations increased. Interactions of H+ and Mn2+ concentrations were synergistic for length, fresh weight, and dry weight of roots in 38M and 58M. Interaction of H+ and Mn2+ stresses on root length was additive in GP‐140, SC283, SC574, SC599, and TAM428 but interactions of these stresses were antagonistic in root length of Funk GS22DR.