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Cell membrane integrity, callose accumulation, and root growth in aluminum-stressed sorghum seedlings

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  • Published:
Biologia Plantarum

Abstract

Aluminum stress usually reduces plant root growth due to the accumulation of Al in specific zones of the root apex. The objectives of this study were to determine the localization of Al in the root apex of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moech. and its effects on membrane integrity, callose accumulation, and root growth in selected cultivars. Seedlings were grown in a nutrient solution containing 0, 27, or 39 μM Al3+ for 24, 48, and 120 h. The Al stress significantly reduced root growth, especially after 48 and 120 h of exposure. A higher Al accumulation, determined by fluorescence microscopy after staining with a Morin dye, occurred in the root extension zone of the sensitive cultivar than in the tolerant cultivar. The membrane damage and callose accumulation were also higher in the sensitive than resistant cultivar. It was concluded that the Al stress significantly reduced root growth through the accumulation of Al in the root extension zone, callose accumulation, and impairment of plasma membrane integrity.

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Abbreviations

BIO-EARN:

Eastern African Regional Programme and Research Network for Biotechnology, Biosafety and Biotechnology Policy Development

ICRISAT:

International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

SIDA:

Swedish International Development Agency

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya

    E. J. Too, A. O. Onkware & B. A. Were

  2. Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O Box 101, S-23053, Alnarp, Sweden

    A. S. Carlsson, M. Geleta & T. Bryngelsson

  3. Rongo University College, Constituent College of Moi University, P.O. Box 103-40404, Rongo, Kenya

    S. Gudu

Authors
  1. E. J. Too
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  2. A. S. Carlsson
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  3. A. O. Onkware
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  4. B. A. Were
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  5. M. Geleta
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  6. T. Bryngelsson
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  7. S. Gudu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. J. Too.

Additional information

Acknowledgements: This work was supported by SIDA under the BIO-EARN programme given to the Moi University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences through funding from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of its special allocation on global food security (UD40). The authors are grateful to ICRISAT for sorghum seed.

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Too, E.J., Carlsson, A.S., Onkware, A.O. et al. Cell membrane integrity, callose accumulation, and root growth in aluminum-stressed sorghum seedlings. Biol Plant 58, 768–772 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-014-0455-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-014-0455-0

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