Gas exchange and initial growth of wolf-plant (Solanum lycocarpum) exposed to increasing Al3+ concentrations

• Grant number: 24/08269-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Pant Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Marina Alves Gavassi
• Grantee: Laura Ramos Marião
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Aluminum (Al) is a metal found abundantly in the soils of the Cerrado. These soils are naturally acidic, which leads to the formation of Al in its trivalent form (Al3+), toxic to most plants, especially crops. Native plants of the Cerrado have developed mechanisms and adaptations to cope with high concentrations of Al in the soil, categorized as either accumulating or non-accumulating species. Among the plants of the Cerrado, the wolf-fruit plant (Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hil) is highlighted due to its ecological, pharmacological, and economic importance. In this context, the aim of this study is to investigate whether an increase in Al concentration affects the gas exchange parameters and the initial development of wolf-fruit plants, in order to confirm the tolerance of this species to this metal, considering its high occurrence in the Cerrado. For this purpose, wolf-fruit plants will be exposed to 0, 50, 100, 250 ¼M of Al in a nutrient solution, and measurements of gas exchange (CO2 assimilation rates, transpiration, and stomatal conductance), leaf hydration (leaf water potential and relative water content), biometric variables (height, stem diameter, leaf number, leaf area, main root length), Al accumulation, and organ biomass will be evaluated.