Abstract
In the present study, we investigated the sites of aluminum (Al) accumulation and its effects on the growth, morphology and nutritional status in root tips of soybean (Glycine max L.) genotype Conquista. The seedlings were exposed to nutrient Clark solution, pH 4.0, with 0 (control) and 100 µM of Al for 24, 48 and 72 h. Our results showed an Al accumulation in the superficial layers of the root tip, such as the root cap cells, epidermis and cortex cells, and internally in the cell walls of the meristematic cells. The Al accumulation in the outer cells prevented the entry of this metal in the inner tissues. However, scanning electron micrographs showed damage in the external micromorphology of the root tips. This damage resulted in cellular disorganization in the root cap and epidermis cells leading to a reduction in Ca and Mg uptake. Despite that, there was no change in root growth. Taken together, our findings suggest that genotype Conquista has a capacity to avoid Al toxicity, probably by Al immobilization in the cell walls and in the external tissues of the root tip.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Nucleus of Microscopy and Microanalysis (NMM, http://www.nmm.ufv.br/), at the Federal University of Viçosa for providing the equipment for experiments involving electron microscopy, the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) (Process PPM-00543-16) and the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico Tecnológico (CNPq) (Process 423109/2018-9) for funding this project.
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CR and COS were the masterminds of this project and planned all the experiments. CR, COS and DSB wrote the manuscript. COS, MFSS, AAS and VRR conducted all the experiments in the greenhouse and performed chemical and biochemical determinations. JAO measured the aluminum content and nutritional assessment in the root tips. CR and AAA participated in the analyses involving micromorphology and microanalyses of root tips by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). MDB and GAS performed the statistical analysis. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Silva, C.O., Brito, D.S., da Silva, A.A. et al. Differential accumulation of aluminum in root tips of soybean seedlings. Braz. J. Bot 43, 99–107 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-020-00593-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-020-00593-9