Mineral element concentration of six sunflower cultivars in relation to water deficit and aluminum toxicity

Abstract

Abstract The separate and combined effects of water and Al stress on concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, Fe, Al, Cu, Mn, and Zn were determined in leaves of six sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivars grown In an acid, Al‐toxic, Tatum subsoil (clayey, mixed, thermic, Typic Hapludult). Plants were grown 4 weeks in a plant growth chamber at high (pH 4.3) or low (pH 6.3) Al stress. During the last 2 weeks they were also subjected to low (‐20 to ‐40 kPa) or high (‐60 to ‐80 kPa) water stress. Overall, Al stress had a greater effect on mineral concentration than water stress. When data from all water stress treatments were combined and all six cultlvars were considered as a group, Al stress decreased concentrations of Ca, Mg, and Fe and Increased concentrations of K, Al, Cu, Mn, and Zn. When data from all Al stress treatments were combined for the six cultlvars, water stress decreased concentrations of Fe, Al, and Cu and increased concentration of Zn. Water stress alone had no effect on concentrations of Ca, K, Mg...