Nifedipine influence on calcium and aluminum absorption in roots of three sorghum cultivars

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.