A long and stressful day: Photoperiod shapes aluminium tolerance in plants

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Siqueira, Joao Antonio ; Wakin, Thiago ; Batista-Silva, Willian ; Silva, Jose Cleydson F. ; Vicente, Matheus H. ; Silva, Jessica C. ; Clarindo, Wellington R. ; Zsogon, Agustin ; Peres, Lazaro E. P. ; De Veylder, Lieven ; Fernie, Alisdair R. ; Nunes-Nesi, Adriano ; Araujo, Wagner L.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS; v. 432, p. 11-pg., 2022-03-18.

Abstract

Aluminium (Al), a limiting factor for crop productivity in acidic soils (pH & LE; 5.5), imposes drastic constraints for food safety in developing countries. The major mechanisms that allow plants to cope with Al involve manipulations of organic acids metabolism and DNA-checkpoints. When assumed individually both approaches have been insufficient to overcome Al toxicity. On analysing the centre of origin of most cultivated plants, we hypothesised that day-length seems to be a pivotal agent modulating Al tolerance across distinct plant species. We observed that with increasing distance from the Equator, Al tolerance decreases, suggesting a relationship with the photoperiod. We verified that long-day (LD) species are generally more Al-sensitive than short-day (SD) species, whereas genetic conversion of tomato for SD growth habit boosts Al tolerance. Reduced Al tolerance correlates with DNA-checkpoint activation under LD. Furthermore, DNA-checkpoint-related genes are under positive selection in Arabidopsis accessions from regions with shorter days, suggesting that photoperiod act as a selective barrier for Al tolerance. A diel regulation and genetic diversity affect Al tolerance, suggesting that day -length orchestrates Al tolerance. Altogether, photoperiodic control of Al tolerance might contribute to solving the historical obstacle that imposes barriers for developing countries to reach a sustainable agriculture. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/05566-0 - The impact of plant architecture on tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) yield, water use efficiency and resistance to drought and salt stress
• Grantee: Mateus Henrique Vicente
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate