Effect of Aluminium Stress on Germination and Mineral Nutrition of Kidney Bean Cultivars with Different Sensitivity to Aluminium

Mitra Roshani, Hossein Abbaspour* and Sakineh Saeidi-sar

Department of Biology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran.

ABSTRACT: Aluminium is the most important element in the soil as a stable complex with oxygen and silicates. When pH is below 5, aluminium dissolves in soil water and is absorbed by plant roots. Aluminium toxicity is a major constraint to agricultural production in the world, because 50% of the world’s potential lands are acidic. Hence this study was conducted to investigate the toxic effects of aluminium on the germination and nutrient uptake in five cultivars of kidney beans (Derakhshan, Goli, Akhtar, Sayad and Naz) at three concentrations (30, 40, and 50mM) aluminium nitrate, Al(NO3)3. Due to aluminium toxicity, reduced germination and growth of seedlings was recorded in all cultivars. Absorption of various nutrients, such as Fe, Ca, Mg, K, p, N decreased in roots and shoots of all cultivars. P and Mg Contents of shoots were less affected in all cultivars. Two cultivars including Derakhshan and Goli were better in terms of growth and accumulation of minerals than the other three. In General, germination and nutrient accumulation was inhibited in kidney bean due to the presence of aluminium.

KEYWORDS: Germination; Aluminum; Nutrients; Kidney beans

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