Aluminium toxicity in rye (Secale cereale): Root growth and dynamics of cytoplasmic Ca2+ in intact root tips

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aluminium (Al) toxicity in rye (Secale cereale L.), an Al-resistant crop, was examined by measuring root elongation and cytoplasmic free activity of calcium ([Ca2+](cyt)) in intact root apical cells. Measurement of [Ca2+](cyt) was achieved by loading a Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent probe, Fluo-3/AM ester, into root apical cells followed by detection of intracellular fluorescence using a confocal laser scanning microscope. After 20 min of exposure to 50 muM Al (pH 4.2) a slight increase in [Ca2+](cyt) of root apical cells was observed, while the response of [Ca2+](cyt) to 100 muM Al (pH 4.2) was faster and larger ([Ca2+](cyt) increased by 46 % in 10 min). Increases in [Ca2+](cyt) were correlated with inhibition of root growth, generally measurable after 2 h. Addition of 400 pm malic acid (pH 4.2) largely ameliorated the effect of 100 muM Al on [Ca2+](cyt) in root apical cells and protected root growth from Al toxicity. These results suggest that an increase in [Ca2+](cyt) in root apical cells in rye is an early effect of Al toxicity and is followed by the secondary effect on root elongation. (C) 2002 Annals of Botany Company.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)241-244
JournalAnnals of Botany
Volume89
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2002

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Aluminium toxicity in rye (Secale cereale): Root growth and dynamics of cytoplasmic Ca2+ in intact root tips'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this