Responses of native species of the Cerrado to different concentrations of aluminum (Al)

Author(s)

Anna Carolina Gressler Bressan

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Rio Claro. 2019-01-07.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Biociências. Rio Claro
• Defense date: 2018-11-23
• Advisor: Gustavo Habermann

Abstract

Aluminum (Al) is a toxic element for many plant species, however, different responses to the presence of this element can be observed. In Brazil, Al - accu mulating and non - accumulating species occur naturally in acid ic soil areas, such as in the Brazilian Cerrado, and this fact evidences the richness of mecha nisms developed to deal with high availability of Al in the soil. In this T hesis, we evaluated the effects caused in native species when exposed to different Al con centrations . In a greenhouse experiment , plants of Styrax camporum (Styracaceae) grown in a nutrient solu tion containing 0,740 and 1480  M Al for 90 days. Plants exposed to 1480  M showed a less developed root system, lower plant height and low gas exchang e rates in relation to those exposed to 0 and 740  M Al. Plants exposed to 0 and 740  M Al showed similar values f or these parameters, indicating that Al does not cause beneficial effects to development of this species. Analyses in light microscopy, scanni ng electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were a lso performed. In a field study, we compared the Ca and Al leaf contents in two species of the genus Qualea (Vochysiaceae) , occurring in a Cerrado fragment located in calcareous soil , with t he values presented by the same species occurring in a Cerrado fragment located in acid ic soil , rich in Al. The Ca leaf content was positively associated with the soil saturation, while the Al content was the same in plants growing i n both soils In addition, regardless of soil type, these elements are stored in different regions of the leaf, indicating that there is no competition between these elements in Al accumulating species. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/14386-0 - Indirect reference to the physiological effects of Al through microscopy techniques in Cerrado native species
• Grantee: Anna Carolina Gressler Bressan
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate