Effects of Al3+ on growth and physiological characteristics of tea plant (Camellia sinensis)

Pingyangtezao (PYTZ) and Wuniuzao (WNZ) (Camelliasinensis) were selected to investigate aluminum (Al) influence on the growth and physiological characteristics of tea plants. The results show that aluminum can promote growth and development of tea. Compared with the control treatments without Al, the obvious upward tendencies of the contents of chlorophyll are observed in the treatment of 0.4 mmol /L Al3+, the activities of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) in tea leaves treated with 0.4 mmol/L Al3+ are significant higher than those of the control (no Al3+), and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) are reduced by the treatment with Al. However, difference of those indexes are observed in two cultivars, therefore, the physiological reactions to Al of these two cultivars are different, we infer that different tea cultivars may have the different effects of Al toxicity on genotypic difference.