Aluminium toxicity: Towards an understanding of how plant roots react to the physical environment

The root cap has an established but poorly understood role in determining the roots’ response to the physical environment (including Al). Data from studies of Al toxicity are combined with more general aspects of root physiology to develop understanding of the basis for Al toxicity as well as the regulatory systems involved in mediating a transmitted response between Al-damaged cap cells and the responding cells of the cap and root.