AUTHOR=Delgado M. , Barra P. J. , Berrios G. , Mora M. L. , Durán P. , Valentine A. , Reyes-Díaz M. 

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

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1371123

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2024.1371123

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>We aimed to evaluate the facilitation effects of an aluminum (Al) hyperaccumulator species bearing cluster roots, <italic>Gevuina avellana</italic>, on the seedling growth and performance of an Al-intolerant and phosphorus (P)-deficient-sensitive plant, <italic>Vaccinium corymbosum</italic>. For this, seedlings of <italic>G. avellana</italic> and <italic>V. corymbosum</italic> were grown alone or together as follows: i) two <italic>G. avellana</italic> seedlings, ii) one <italic>G. avellana</italic> + one <italic>V. corymbosum</italic> and iii) two <italic>V. corymbosum</italic>, in soil supplemented with Al (as Al<sub>2</sub>(SO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub>) 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, <italic>G. avellana</italic> did not assist <italic>V. corymbosum</italic> to enhance its RGR nor reduce its Al uptake. However, <italic>G. avellana</italic> assisted <italic>V. corymbosum</italic> in enhanced N acquisition and, consequently, to increase its chlorophyll concentration and photosynthetic rate. Besides, <italic>V. corymbosum</italic> had lower lipid peroxidation in leaves when grown in the soil with high Al supplementation in association with <italic>G. avellana.</italic> Our results suggest a facilitating effect of <italic>G. avellana</italic> to <italic>V. corymbosum</italic> when grown in soils with high Al concentration, by enhancing chlorophyll concentrations and photosynthetic rate, and decreasing the oxidative damage to lipids.</p>