Changes in nitrate reductase activity, plastid pigment content, and plant mineral composition of wheat, rye, and triticale grown in the presence of aluminum

Abstract

The effects of aluminum (Al) on nitrate reductase activity, plastid pigment content, and mineral element composition in wheat, rye, and triticale seedlings were studied. Different responses of the plant species to Al content in the growth solution were observed. Under conditions of different Al concentrations (from 1 to 10 ppm), nitrate reductase (NR) activity increased in wheat and triticale, while in rye an interference with nitrate reductase by Al was observed. A definite tendency in plastid pigment content changes independent on Al levels was not found. The chlorophyll “a”;, chlorophyll “b”;, and carotenoid contents were influenced in a different way in wheat, rye, and triticale seedlings. A positive effect of 1, 5, and 10 ppm Al on the nitrogen (N) content in the shoots of wheat and rye was observed. The N content in the shoots of triticale was not affected by the presence of Al. The presence of Al in the nutrient solution led to a tendency toward reduction of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) contents in the shoots of rye seedlings, a reduction of K in the shoots and manganese (Mn) content in roots of wheat, and a reduction of K in both shoots and roots and an accumulation of Mn in triticale roots. In general, our investigation on the effect of Al in the early stages of wheat, rye, and triticale development showed that a large number of biochemical and physiological parameters are required to characterize the plant responses to Al stress.