Abstract
Native Cerrado plants are exposed to soils with low pH and high availability of Al. In this study, we measured the Al content in adult plants, and investigated the effects of various Al doses on germination and early development of Eugenia dysenterica plants. For germination tests, the seeds were soaked in Al solution and evaluated for twenty days in growth chambers. In a second experiment, young plants were cultivated in hydroponic systems with various Al concentrations to evaluate the morphological, anatomical and physiological characteristics of E. dysenterica. Anatomical changes and low germinative vigor were observed in seeds germinated in 600 and 800 μmol Al3+ L−1. In the hydroponic system, 200 μmol Al3+ L−1 stimulated root growth in young plants. The activity of antioxidant enzymes and the accumulation of phenolic compounds were greatest at the highest Al doses, preventing changes in gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence. Starch grain accumulation was noted in plant cells exposed to 200 and 400 μmol Al3+ L−1. Adult E. dysenterica trees also accumulated Al in leaves, bark and seeds. These data suggest that E. dysenterica is tolerant to Al.
Highlights
Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a limiting abiotic stress factor for many plants worldwide [1,2]
The germination rate index (GRI) and germination percentages in E. dysenterica decreased with increasing Al3+ concentrations (Table 1)
Despite the fact that E. dysenterica matrix plants store Al in seeds, external contact with high Al concentrations may interfere with germination and may impair root growth and seedling establishment
Summary
Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a limiting abiotic stress factor for many plants worldwide [1,2]. In addition to being naturally abundant in acid soils, gradual increases in Al content in soils and waters have been reported, attributed to intense industrial metallurgy, packaging, transportation, construction, electrical, and chemical plant activities. Among Al-sensitive species, some trees, including Fraxinus excelsior and Acer pseudoplatanus, are not able to complex Al via organic acids released by the root system [2]. Some native plants from tropical regions with acidic and nutrient-poor soils have evolved survival strategies to deal with high Al saturation, in addition to acid and nutritional conditions; these species include some belonging to the Rubiaceae (Melaleuca cajuputi and Coccocypselum sp.) [13], Plants 2019, 8, 317; doi:10.3390/plants8090317 www.mdpi.com/journal/plants
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