Chapter 1 – Aluminum Toxicity in Plants: An Overview

Aluminum is one of the most abundant metals in the Earth’s soil. Many plants are sensitive to micromolar concentrations of this metal. Most of the aluminum in soil is bound by ligands and thus occur in nonphytotoxic forms such as aluminosilicates and aluminum precipitates. Aluminum toxicity exists in acidic soils and low pH leads to solubilization, resulting in toxicity of aluminum to plants. Leaves, roots, and plant morphology are widely affected because of its toxicity. This chapter discusses the mechanisms involved in aluminum phytotoxicity, along with its cytogenetic effects. Focusing on the major interactions of aluminum with nutrient metabolism and tolerance in plants against aluminum toxicity, this chapter also discusses the uptake and transport of aluminum throughout the plant cells, biochemistry of aluminum phytotoxicity, and interactions of aluminum with calmodulin.