Influence of aluminum on growth of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in nutrient culture

Abstract

In the present paper the importance of aluminum for bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) growth in nutrient solution, at pH 3.6, is shown and some contribution to elucidate the question of aluminum-phosphorus interactions is made. Two experiments were carried out, the first to study aluminum toxicity in relation to a possible phosphorus deficiency and the second to establish toxic levels. The following results were observed: 1) solutions containing more than 7 ppm of aluminum caused a significant increase of aluminum both in the roots and in the aerial portion of the beans; 2) concentration of aluminum in the nutrient solution had no effect on phosphorus content of the aerial portion of the plant but appears to have had an effect on the phosphorus content of the roots; 3) concentrations of 3 ppm or greater of aluminum in the nutrient solution were prejudicial to plant growth. The results of this work suggest that these prejudicial effects are caused by excess of aluminum itself and not by aluminum-induced deficiencies of phosphorus in the plant.