Do aluminum (Al)-hyperaccumulator and phosphorus (P)-solubilising species assist neighbouring plants sensitive to Al toxicity and P deficiency?

• Published in: Frontiers in plant science Vol. 15; p. 1371123
• Main Authors: Delgado, M, Barra, P J, Berrios, G, Mora, M L, Durán, P, Valentine, A, Reyes-Díaz, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 24-04-2024
• Subjects: cluster roots; facilitation; Gevuina avellana; highbush blueberry; nutrients; Plant Science; Proteaceae; Gevuina avellana; Proteaceae; facilitation; cluster roots; highbush blueberry; nutrients
• ISSN: 1664-462X; 1664-462X
• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1371123

We aimed to evaluate the facilitation effects of an aluminum (Al) hyperaccumulator species bearing cluster roots,
, on the seedling growth and performance of an Al-intolerant and phosphorus (P)-deficient-sensitive plant,
. For this, seedlings of
and
were grown alone or together as follows: i) two
seedlings, ii) one
+ one
and iii) two
, in soil supplemented with Al (as Al
(SO
)
) and in the control (without Al supplementation). We determined relative growth rate (RGR), photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll concentration, lipid peroxidation and Al and nutrient concentration [Nitrogen (N), P, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and sulfur (S)] in leaves and roots of both species. The results showed that, in general,
did not assist
to enhance its RGR nor reduce its Al uptake. However,
assisted
in enhanced N acquisition and, consequently, to increase its chlorophyll concentration and photosynthetic rate. Besides,
had lower lipid peroxidation in leaves when grown in the soil with high Al supplementation in association with
Our results suggest a facilitating effect of
to
when grown in soils with high Al concentration, by enhancing chlorophyll concentrations and photosynthetic rate, and decreasing the oxidative damage to lipids.