Changes caused by aluminum in protein and carbohydrate contents in the apex of maize seminal roots

Abstract

Acid soils contain aluminum that hinders the development of nontolerant plants due to a decrease in roots mitotic activity. This work determined changes caused by aluminum in protein and carbohydrate total contents in the apex of maize seminal roots. Seedlings from tolerant and nontolerant hybrids were grown in nutrient solution containing four aluminum concentrations. Although there was no interaction between genotypes and aluminum concentrations, aluminum levels caused different effects on protein and carbohydrate contents. In the presence of aluminum, changes were induced in both, even though degree of the response seemed to be independent from any ion concentration. Total protein contents were similar in the two genotypes. Although the two hybrids were similar in the absence of aluminum, the nontolerant hybrid accumulated a greater quantity of carbohydrates in the presence of aluminum. Carbohydrate contents in seminal roots seemed to be an expression of nontolerance that differentiates the maize genotypes