Aluminum Signaling and Potential Links with Safener-Induced Detoxification in Plants

Aluminum (Al) toxicity limits crop productivity in over 40 % of arable lands on this planet. Understanding the Al signaling and physiological relevance of Al toxicity and tolerance/resistance is fundamental to identify and improve crop productivity which is a better strategy than liming the soils as the latter is labor intensive, ineffective, and expensive. In this chapter, all aspects of Al toxicity and tolerance are discussed in a historic perspective of around a century of research, development, and understanding on this topic; a special section regarding a new function of existing ‘safeners’ and their potential for protection against Al toxicity is also discussed.