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Ultrastructural investigations and EDX-analyses of Al-treated oat (Avena sativa) roots

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Plant-Soil Interactions at Low pH: Principles and Management

Part of the book series: Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences ((DPSS,volume 64))

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Abstract

Seedlings of Avena sativa were precultivated hydroponically at pH 4.1 and subsequently treated with solutions containing 0 or 400 µM Al. Electron microscopic and X-ray microanalytic (EDXA) investigations were carried out on root tips after 1 to 10 days of treatment. Root growth and mitotic activity decreased rapidly upon application of Al. The meristematic tissues of Al-treated roots showed enhanced vacuolation. The cells, however, remained intact after a longer period of Al-treatment and no alterations in ultrastructure (for example of the nucleus) were visible. The EDX analyses of bulk frozen hydrated tissues showed that Al was predominantly localised in the walls of the outermost cortex cells. One day after onset of Al-stress no intracellular Al was detectable. Even after 10 days with continuous Al-stress, only small amounts of the absorbed Al were localised within the cells. These results suggest that the plasma membrane is a very effective barrier for Al in oats. It is improbable that impairments of cytoplasmatic functions are primary effects of Al-intoxication.

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R. A. Date N. J. Grundon G. E. Rayment M. E. Probert

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© 1995 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Marienfeld, S., Lehmann, H., Stelzer, R. (1995). Ultrastructural investigations and EDX-analyses of Al-treated oat (Avena sativa) roots. In: Date, R.A., Grundon, N.J., Rayment, G.E., Probert, M.E. (eds) Plant-Soil Interactions at Low pH: Principles and Management. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences, vol 64. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0221-6_47

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0221-6_47

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-4099-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-0221-6

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