O. Pinto-carnide et H. Guedes-pinto, Differential aluminum tolerance of Portuguese rye populations and North European rye cultivars, AGRONOMIE, 20(1), 2000, pp. 93-99
Aluminum toxicity is the main toxic factor limiting crop production in acid
soils. The development of cereal varieties adapted to such conditions is a
great challenge for plant breeding. Identification and introduction of Al-
tolerant genes into breeding material is one way of solving the problem. Ry
e is considered one of the most tolerant species among cereals, although a
great intra- and interspecific variability has been found. Al toxicity is u
sually expressed by an inhibition of root elongation. Therefore, measuring
the root regrowth of plants after exposure to an aluminum solution can give
a good indication of a plants behaviour in acid soils. This paper compares
the behaviour of Portuguese rye populations and European rye varieties whe
n grown at different aluminum concentrations. The results obtained reveal t
hat Portuguese rye populations are more tolerant than the European cultivar
s, with most of them being even better than the Al-tolerant cv. Dank. Zlote
, used as a tester.