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Aluminum resistance mechanisms in oat (Avena sativa L.)

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Abstract

Background and aims

Enhanced aluminum (Al) resistance has been observed in dicots over-expressing enzymes involved in organic acid synthesis; however, this approach for improving Al resistance has not been investigated in monocots. Among the cereals, oat (Avena sativa L.) is considered to be Al resistant, but the basis of resistance is not known.

Methods

A hydroponic assay and hematoxylin staining for Al accumulation in roots were used to evaluate Al resistance in 15 oat cultivars. Malate and citrate release from roots was measured over a 24 h period. A malate dehydrogenase gene, neMDH, from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was used to transform oat.

Results

Oat seedlings were highly resistant to Al, as a concentration of 325 μM AlK(SO4)2 was needed to cause a 50% decrease in root growth. Most oat cultivars tested are naturally resistant to high concentrations of Al and effectively excluded Al from roots. Al-dependent release of malate and Al-independent release of citrate was observed. Al resistance was enhanced in a transgenic oat line with the highest accumulation of neMDH protein. However, overall root growth of this line was reduced and expression of neMDH in transgenic oat did not enhance malate secretion.

Conclusions

Release of malate from oat roots was associated with Al resistance, which suggests that malate plays a role in Al resistance of oat. Over-expression of alfalfa neMDH enhanced Al resistance in some lines but was not effective alone for crop improvement.

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Acknowledgements

Mention of any trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. This paper is a joint contribution from the Plant Science Research Unit, USDA-ARS, and the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Kim Torbert for production of transformed oat plants, Deon Stuthman and Roger Caspars for oat seed, and Karen Hilburn for assistance with lyophilization.

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Author notes

  1. David A. Somers

    Present address: Monsanto Company, 700 Chesterfield Village Parkway, Chesterfield, MO, 63017, USA

  2. Stephen J. Temple

    Present address: Forage Genetics International, N5292 S. Gills Coulee Road, West Salem, WI, 54669, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Biology, University of Minnesota, 1445 Gortner Ave., St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA

    Lorien Radmer & Mesfin Tesfaye

  2. Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA

    David A. Somers & Stephen J. Temple

  3. USDA-ARS-Plant Science Research Unit and Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA

    Carroll P. Vance

  4. USDA-ARS-Plant Science Research Unit and Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA

    Deborah A. Samac

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  1. Lorien Radmer
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  2. Mesfin Tesfaye
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Deborah A. Samac.

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Responsible Editor: Hans Lambers.

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Radmer, L., Tesfaye, M., Somers, D.A. et al. Aluminum resistance mechanisms in oat (Avena sativa L.). Plant Soil 351, 121–134 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-011-0937-1

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