Relations among mycorrhizal association and aluminum accumulation in woody species from the Cerrado.

• Grant number: 23/12430-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: May 01, 2024
• End date: April 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: Sara Adrian Lopez de Andrade
• Grantee: Anna Carolina Gressler Bressan
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Aluminum (Al) is the third most abundant element in the earth's crust, and is naturally present in the soil in the form of oxides and aluminosilicates. However, in acidic soils, with a pH lower than 5, these minerals can be solubilized and release potentially phytotoxic forms, such as Al3+, into the soil solution. Symbiotic associations between roots and soil microorganisms can alter patterns of absorption and accumulation of Al by plants, increasing their resistance to the toxicity of this element. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a key role in the protection of plants against Al toxicity, through indirect mechanisms, promoting increased nutrient absorption and changes in plant physiology, or direct mechanisms, through Al sequestration in intra and extra root structures, reducing the absorption of this metal by the plants. The Cerrado vegetation develops on acidic soils, with a pH lower than 4.0 and high saturation by exchangeable Al. The native woody plants of Cerrado can be accumulators or non-accumulators of Al. The present study aims to evaluate the degree of colonization and the diversity of fungal communities associated with the roots of Al accumulating and non-accumulating species. In addition, we intend to evaluate whether the fungal communities associated with the roots are involved with the sequestration of this metal, especially in species that do not accumulate Al, since these plants present low concentrations of this element in their leaves, even though they inhabit soils with high Al availability.