Effect of aluminum on productivity and mineral elements in soybean

Abstract

This paper deals with the effects of Al on the growth and mineral content in Santa Rosa and IAC-5 soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril) cultivars. Ten day old seedlings were grown for an additional period of 35 days in a nutrient solution containing 0, 4, 8, 10 e 12 ppm of Al. Root, stem and leaf dry weights were obtained and samples analysed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Al content. Shoots were more sensitive to Al than roots in both cultivars. Although roots showed growth inhibition and morphological abnormalities, no drastic dry weight reduction was observed, as observed for the shoots. Cultivar IAC-5 showed a higher root dry matter accumulation than that of S. Rosa, but shoot dry weights were similar in both cultivars. Al caused a significant alteration in the plant mineral composition drastically reducing Ca content in the shoots. Reduction in P and Mg content was observed in both shoots and roots. The highest Al accumulation occurred in the root system, and a small amount was translocated to stems and leaves. Al effects in the K content were not so evident although, it had an influence on N content in shoots and Fe content in shoots and roots. The responses to Al were not significant enough to classify the two cultivars under distinct groups of tolerance.