Ml. Delima et L. Copeland, CHANGES IN THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE ROOT-TIP OF WHEAT FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO ALUMINUM, Australian journal of plant physiology, 21(1), 1994, pp. 85-94
Investigations have been carried out on morphological changes induced
by aluminium ions in roots of wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L. cv
. Vulcan). Lesions were evident on the surface of the roots after 4-8
h of exposure, and within 24 h there was increased vacuolation, loss o
f turgor, and severe cytoplasmic disorganisation in epidermal and peri
pheral cap cells. The central cap and cortical layers were also severe
ly damaged by aluminium, but changes in the meristematic cells became
evident only after more prolonged exposure of roots to aluminium. Mobi
lisation of starch in amyloplasts of peripheral and central cap cells
of aluminium-stressed roots was particularly noticeable, and this was
accompanied by an increase in the amount of extractable activity of st
arch-degrading enzymes. The possibility that the mobilisation of starc
h is linked to a coincident increase in fermentative metabolism in Al-
stressed wheat roots is considered.