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Background and Aims Acidic soils are dominated chemically by more ammonium and more available, so more potentially toxic, aluminium compared with neutral to calcareous soils, which are characterized by more nitrate and less available, so less toxic, aluminium. However, it is not known whether aluminium tolerance and nitrogen source preference are linked in plants. Methods This question was investigated by comparing the responses of 30 rice (Oryza sativa) varieties (15 subsp. japonica cultivars and 15 subsp. indica cultivars) to aluminium, various ammonium/nitrate ratios and their combinations under acidic solution conditions. Key Results indica rice plants were generally found to be aluminium-sensitive and nitrate-preferring, while japonica cultivars were aluminium-tolerant and relatively ammonium-preferring. Aluminium tolerance of different rice varieties was significantly negatively correlated with their nitrate preference. Furthermore, aluminium enhanced ammonium-fed rice growth but inhibited nitrate-fed rice growth. Conclusions The results suggest that aluminium tolerance in rice is antagonistic with nitrate preference and synergistic with ammonium preference under acidic solution conditions. A schematic diagram summarizing the interactions of aluminium and nitrogen in soil–plant ecosystems is presented and provides a new basis for the integrated management of acidic soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum (Al) accumulation and long-distance transport in oil tea (Camellia oleifera Abel.), known to be an Al accumulator, was investigated. The average Al concentration in the embryo of oil tea seeds was 389 mg Al kg−1 dry weight, which was higher than seeds of other Al accumulators. By partially suppressing leaf transpiration in the field, Al accumulation in leaves was depressed, which clarified the importance of xylem transport to Al accumulation in leaves. However, the effects of xylem transport alone could not sufficiently explain the high Al accumulation in the seasons when the leaf transpiration is weak, which hints the necessity of phloem transport working. Aluminum content in phloem exudates of barks provides another evidence of phloem transport. Images from scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive analysis also showed that Al was present in the phloem of oil tea petioles. Aluminum in oil tea could also be redistributed: higher concentrations of Al were found in leaves when Al was supplied to a different leaf of the same plant. In addition, Al was present in newly emerging roots of oil tea seedlings in which all original roots were excised prior to treatment, and a positive correlation existed between Al content in the newly formed roots and that in the leaves. The results using the empty seed coat technique showed that Al unloading via the phloem occurred during seed development. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that Al could be redistributed between leaves, from seeds to leaves, leaves to roots and leaves to seeds, which indicates that Al can be transported via the phloem in oil tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adaptations of root morphology, physiology, and biochemistry to phosphorus supply have been characterized intensively. However, characterizing these adaptations at molecular level is largely neglected under field conditions. Here, two consecutive field experiments were carried out to investigate the agronomic traits and root traits of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at six P-fertilizer rates. Root samples were collected at flowering to investigate root dry weight, root length density, arbusular-mycorrhizal colonization rate, acid phosphatase activity in rhizosphere soil, and expression levels of genes encoding phosphate transporter, phosphatase, ribonucleases, and expansin. These root traits exhibited inducible, inhibitory, or combined responses to P deficiency, and the change point for responses to P supply was at or near the optimal P supply for maximum grain yield. This research improves the understanding of mechanisms of plant adaptation to soil P in intensive agriculture and provides useful information for optimizing P management based on the interactions between soil P dynamics and root processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]