Mineral nutrition of rubber tree: IX. aluminum affecting the growth of young rubber plant (Hevea spp)

Abstract

In Brazil mostly all rubber tree, under natural and cultivated conditions occurs on soil containing high levels of toxic aluminum. A study on the rubber tree behavior in relation to aluminum in necessary and urgent. In order to: - Study the effects of five levels of aluminum in the substract on the growth of young rubber trees; - Describe visual symptoms of the aluminum toxicity on the leaves; - Evaluate the tolerance of rubber plant to aluminum; Young rubber plants were cultivated in BOLLE-JONES (1957) nutrient solution, modified for iron supply. A separate solution of aluminum was prepared by dissolving a thin aluminum foil with HCl 1N. From these stock solution the following solutions were prepared: none, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25ppm of aluminum. The plants remained for 24 hours in nutrient solutions and another 24 hours in the aluminum solutions. These procedure was carried out during 95 days. Both solutions - nutrient and aluminum -were replaced every week. After 95 days, the plants were harvested and divided into top whorl, 2nd and 3rd whorls, stem and roots. The material was dried and analysed for aluminum by routine methods in the laboratory. The authors concluded: - The growth of the rubber plants was affected when the concentration of aluminum was 15ppm or more in the solution. - Clear cut symptoms of the aluminum toxicity was noted in the roots. The root tip and lateral roots became thockened and turned brown. - The rubber plant grows well in presence of less thon 15ppm of aluminum.