Boron (B) deficiency and aluminum (Al) toxicity are two major constraints on plants grown in acidic soils. B supply mitigates Al toxicity; however, the underlying mechanisms of this process remain elusive. In this work, Pisum sativum plants were used to address this issue. In the absence of pH buffers, B supply had a better mitigation effect on Al-induced root inhibition at pH 4.0 than pH 4.8. However, in MES buffered solution, mitigating effects of B on Al-induced root inhibition were more pronounced at pH 4.8, indicating a strong pH dependency of this process. Quantification of pH-dependent accumulation of Al in various root zones, modification of root pH by an exogenous addition of rapid alkalization factor (RALF), and measuring changes in the rhizosphere pH by fluorescent dyes have revealed operation of two concurrent mechanisms to explain alleviation of the inhibition of root elongation induced by Al toxicity by boron: (1) via enhancing rhizosphere pH under strong acidic stress (pH4.0), and (2) via stabilizing of cell wall by cross-linking with RGII at relatively higher pH (4.8). These findings provide scientific basis and support for the application of B fertilizers in the regions with inherited soil acidity.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	boron; aluminum toxicity; pea
Research Division:	Biological Sciences
Research Group:	Plant biology
Research Field:	Plant physiology
Objective Division:	Plant Production and Plant Primary Products
Objective Group:	Horticultural crops
Objective Field:	Protected vegetable crops
UTAS Author:	Shabala, S (Professor Sergey Shabala)
ID Code:	155144
Year Published:	2022
Web of Science® Times Cited:	1
Deposited By:	Agriculture and Food Systems
Deposited On:	2023-01-30
Last Modified:	2023-03-22
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