Depicting the physiological and ultrastructural responses of soybean plants to Al stress conditions.

Aluminium (Al) is a toxic element for plants living in soils with acidic pH values, and it causes reductions in the roots and shoots development. High Al concentrations can cause physiological and structural changes, leading to symptoms of toxicity in plant tissue. The aim of this study was to describe the Al toxicity in soybean plants through physiological, nutritional, and ultrastructure analyses. Plants were grown in nutrient solution containing increasing Al concentrations (0; 0.05; 0.1; 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mmol L-1). The Al toxicity in the soybean plants was characterized by nutritional, anatomical, physiological, and biochemical analyses. The carbon dioxide assimilation rates and stomatal conductance were not affected by the Al. However, the capacity for internal carbon use decreased, and the transpiration rate increased, resulting in increased root biomass at the lowest Al concentration in the nutrient solution. The soybean plants exposed to the highest Al concentration exhibited lower root and shoot biomass. The nitrate reductase and urease activities decreased with the increasing Al concentration, indicating that nitrogen metabolism was halted. The superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities increased with the increasing Al availability in the nutrient solution, and they were higher in the roots, showing their role in Al detoxification. Despite presenting external lesions characterized by a damaged root cap, the root xylem and phloem diameters were not affected by the Al. However, the leaf xylem diameter showed ultrastructural alterations under higher Al concentrations in nutrient solution. These results have contributed to our understanding of several physiological, biochemical and histological mechanisms of Al toxicity in soybean plants.

Physiological highlights of manganese toxicity symptoms in soybean plants: Mn toxicity responses.

Manganese (Mn) is an essential element for plants; however, high concentrations in certain soil conditions can cause toxicity symptoms in the plant tissue. Here, we describe Mn toxicity symptoms and Mn toxicity responses in soybean plants. Soybean plants exposed to excess Mn showed reductions in the CO2 assimilation rate and stomatal conductance, which in turn resulted in decreased shoot biomass. Furthermore, peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activity were higher in plants grown with the highest Mn concentration. The Mn doses increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as CAT, POD, and SOD. The toxicity symptoms presented by the leaves included hypertrophying of the adaxial epidermis and the formation of necrotic areas with purple-colored veins. Dramatic movement of calcium from the healthy region to the purple-colored necrotic region was observed, as was the exit of potassium from the necrotic area to the healthy region of the tissue. The high activities of POD and SOD in the presence of high Mn compartmented in the roots was the main physiological responses at high Mn uptake by soybean plants.