Summary
The effects of aluminium (Al3+) on the growth of four cultivars of white clover dependent upon NO3 −−N were examined. Plants were grown in flowing solution culture with carefully maintained low concentrations (0, 12.5, 25 and 50 mmolm−3) of Al, and with P and pH (4.5) also held constant and appropriately low. A three-week treatment period resulted in major effects on the growth and elemental composition of shoots and roots at all concentrations of added Al. There were inherent differences between the cultivars in growth but the relative effects of Al were similar in each case. Examination by S.E.M. and x-ray microanalysis of one cultivar grown at 50 mmolm−3 Al, indicated that Al in the roots was associated with P, especially in old, outer epidermal cells. Aluminium reduced NO3 − uptake and there were significant effects of Al on nitrate reductase activity (NRA). In contrast to the other characteristics, there were differential effects between the cultivars in NRA, both in the presence and absence of Al.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andrew C S, Johnson A D and Sandland R L 1973 Effect of aluminium on the growth and chemical composition of some tropical and temperate pasture legumes. Aust. J. Agric. Res. 24, 325–339.
Bar Akiva A and Saigiv J 1967 Nitrate reductase in the citrus plant. Physiol. Plant. 20, 500–507.
Blamey F P C, Edwards D G and Asher C J 1983 Effects of aluminium, OH:Al and P:Al molar ratios, and ionic strength on soybean root elongation in solution culture. Soil Sci. 136, 197–207.
Bollard E G 1983 Involvement of unusual elements in plant growth and nutrition.In Inorganic Plant Nutrition. Eds. A Lauchli and R L Bieleski. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1983. pp 695–744.
Burdon J J 1980 Intra-specific diversity in a natural population ofTrifolium repens L., J. Ecol. 68, 717–735.
Carvalho De M M, Edwards D G, Andrew C S and Asher C J 1981 Aluminium toxicity, nodulation, and growth ofStylosanthes species. Agron. J. 73, 261–265.
Clarkson D T 1966 Effect of aluminium on the uptake and metabolism of phosphorus by barley seedlings. Plant Physiol. 41, 165–172.
Clarkson D T 1967 Interactions between aluminium and phosphorus on root surfaces and cell wall material. Plant and Soil 27, 347–356.
Clement C R, Hopper M J, Canaway R K and Jones L H P 1974 A system for measuring the uptake of ions by plants from flowing solutions of controlled composition. J. Expt. Bot. 25, 81–99.
Foy C D, Chaney R L and White M C 1978 The physiology of metal toxicity in plants. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 29, 511–566.
Helyar K R and Anderson A J 1970 Responses of five pasture species to phosphorus, lime, and nitrogen on an infertile acid soil with a high phosphate sorption capacity. Aust. J. Agric. Res. 21, 677–692.
Helyar K R and Anderson A J 1971 Effects of lime on the growth of five species, on aluminium toxicity, and on phosphorus availability. Aust. J. Agric. Res. 22, 701–721.
Huett D O and Menary R C 1980 Aluminium distribution in freeze-dried roots of cabbage, lettuce and Kikuyu grass by energy-dispersive x-ray analysis. Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 1980 7, 101–111.
Jarvis S C and Hatch D J 1985a Rates of hydrogen ion efflux by nodulated legumes grown in flowing solution culture with continuous pH monitoring and adjustment. Ann. Bot. 55, 41–51.
Jarvis S C and Hatch D J 1985b The-effects of aluminium on the growth of white clover dependent upon fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. J. Expt. Bot. 36, 1075–1086.
Jarvis S C and Hatch D J 1986 The effects of low concentrations of aluminium on the growth and uptake of nitrate-N by white clover. Plant and Soil 95, 43–55.
Lewis O A M, Watson E F and Hewitt E J 1982 Determination of nitrate reductase activity in barley leaves and roots. Ann. Bot. 49, 31–37.
Munns D N 1965 Soil acidity and growth of a legume II. Reactions of aluminium and phosphate in solution and effects of aluminium, phosphate, calcium and pH onMedicago sativa L. andTrifolium subterraneum L. in solution culture. Aust. J. Agric. Res. 757–766.
Murphy H E, Edwards D G and Asher C J 1984 Effects of aluminium on nodulation and early growth of four tropical pasture legumes. Aust. J. Agric. Res. 35, 663–673.
Osborne G J, Prateley J E and Stewart W P 1981 The tolerance of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) to aluminium and manganese. Field Crops Res. 3, 347–358.
Rasmussen H P 1968 Entry and distribution of aluminium inZea mays: electron microprobe x-ray analysis. Planta 81, 28–37.
Snaydon R W 1962a Micro-distribution ofTrifolium repens L. and its relation to soil factors. J. Ecol. 50, 133–143.
Snaydon R W 1962b The growth and competitive ability of contrasting natural populations ofTrifolium repens L. on calcareous and acid soils. J. Ecol. 50 439–447.
Tennant D 1975 A test of a modified line intersect method of estimating root length. J. Ecol. 63, 995–1001.
Whitehead D C Yield of white clover and its fixation of nitrogen as influenced by nutritional and soil factors under controlled environment conditions. J. Sci. Fd. Agric. 33, 1227–1234.
Wood M, Cooper J E and Holding A J 1984a Soil acidity factors and nodulation ofTrifolium repens. Plant and Soil 78, 367–379.
Wood M, Cooper J E and Hoolding A J 1984b Aluminium toxicity and nodulation ofTrifolium repens. Plant and Soil 78, 381–391.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jarvis, S.C., Hatch, D.J. Differential effects of low concentrations of aluminium on the growth of four genotypes of white clover. Plant Soil 99, 241–253 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02370871
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02370871