Abstract
A 1,4‐dihydroxypyridine type of ion channel blocker, nifedipine [1,4‐dihydro‐2,6‐dimethyl‐4‐(2‐nitrophenyl)‐3,5‐pyridinedicarboxylate dimethyl ester], was tested on the root absorption of Al3+ and Ca2+ by sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] cultivars with varying acid stress tolerance. In an acid stress sensitive cultivar, Funk G522DR, nifedipine (1 μM) influenced Ca2+ but not Al3+ absorption. In one acid stress tolerant cultivar, SC574, nifedipine (1 μM) influenced both Ca2+ and Al3+ absorption. In a second acid stress tolerant cultivar, SC283, nifedipine (1 μM) did not influence Ca2+ but did influence Al3+ absorption. Considerable genetic diversity is present in Ca2+ and Al3+ absorption between sorghum cultivars.