High aluminum availability may affect Styrax camporum, an Al non-accumulating species from the Brazilian savanna

Author(s)

Banhos, Otavia F. A. A. ; de Souza, Marcelo Claro ; Habermann, Gustavo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PLANT PHYSIOLOGY; v. 28, n. 3, p. 321-332, SEP 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

In the Cerrado vegetation, generally known as `Brazilian savanna', aluminum (Al) accumulating and non-accumulating plants coexist, growing on soils that are acidic, poor in nutrients and rich in Al. Differing from Al-sensitive species, these plants are not expected to experience Al injuries. Using Styrax camporum, a non-accumulating plant, we recorded biometric variations in leaves, shoots and roots of young plants exposed to 0 and 1480 mu M Al in a nutrient solution. Photosynthetic responses were measured bi-weekly over 91 days. Plants exposed to Al drastically reduced flushing, indicating that Al interferes with the functioning of the shoot apex. Aluminum caused low CO2 assimilation rate, largely explained by low stomatal conductance, while Al-induced decrease in photochemical performance occurred only on some dates during the experiment. In addition, the absorbed Al was mostly retained in the roots. Although counterintuitive, as this species grows on Al-rich soils, we noted that high Al availability impairs lateral root formation, causing an impact on water uptake and gas exchange rates of this species. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/21293-6 - Progress on metabolomics studies of Cerrado plant species developed in different aluminium availabilities
• Grantee: Marcelo Claro de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 12/01351-9 - Study of Cerrado native species as a resource for the overcoming of aluminum toxicity in agriculture
• Grantee: Gustavo Habermann
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants