Effect of Al on dry matter accumulation and Al and nutrition contents of barleys differing in Al tolerance

The experiment was conducted by using 10 barley genotypes with different Al-tolerance at seedling stages, each 5 genotypes for Al-tolerance and Al-sensitivity, to determine the difference in biomass accumulation, Al and nutrient content in the roots and shoots among genotypes under the condition of Al stress. The results showed that Al stress reduced dry matter accumulation of all genotypes, the extent of reduction varied with genotypes, being much more affected for the Al-sensitive genotypes, such as Shang 70-119 than the Al-tolerant genotypes, in comparison with the control. The difference between two kinds of genotypes in biomass inhibition was much larger at maturity than at milking stage. Al stress significantly reduced grain yield of Al-sensitive genotypes, but had less effect on Al-tolerant genotypes. Al contents both in root and shoot increased under Al stress condition in all genotypes, while the difference existed in the increased Al content between two kinds of genotypes, being much higher in Al-sensitive genotypes than in Al-tolerant ones. Al stress dramatically reduced the N、P、K、Ca、Mg and Zn contents in the roots and shoots of Al-sensitive genotypes, but had little influence on Al-tolerant genotypes in these nutrient contents.