U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Plant Science Research: St. Paul, MN
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    CareersSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Midwest Area St. Paul, Minnesota Plant Science Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Samac, Deborah

                                                         - *Debby*item
                                            Gebeyaw, Mesfin
  Submitted to: Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture
                                    Publication Type: Review Article
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 4/23/2003
                                    Publication  Date: 12/1/2003
                                    Citation: Samac, D.A., Tesfaye, M. 2003. Plant improvement for tolerance to aluminum in acid soils. A review. Plant Cell Tissue And Organ Culture. 75(3):189-207.Interpretive Summary:
                                Technical Abstract: Development of acid soils that limit crop production is an increasing problem world-wide. Many factors contribute to phytotoxicity of these soils, however, in mineral acid soils, aluminum (Al) is the major cause of toxicity. The target of Al toxicity is the root tip, in which Al exposure causes inhibition of cell elongation and cell division, leading to root stunting accompanied by reduced water and nutrient uptake. Natural variation for Al tolerance has been identified in many crop species and in some cases tolerance to Al has been introduced into productive, well-adapted varieties. Aluminum tolerance appears to be a complex multigenic trait. Selection methodology remains a limiting factor in variety development as all methods have specific drawbacks. Molecular markers have been associated with Al tolerance genes or quantitative trait loci in several crops, which should facilitate development of additional tolerant varieties. A variety of genes have been identified that are induced or repressed upon Al exposure. Most induced genes characterized so far are not specific to Al exposure but are also induced by other stress conditions. Ectopic overexpression of some of these genes has resulted in enhanced Al tolerance. Additionally, expression of genes involved in organic acid synthesis has resulted in enhanced production of organic acids and an associated increase in Al tolerance. This review presents the three main approaches that have been taken to develop crops with Al tolerance: recurrent selection and breeding, development of Al tolerant somaclonal variants, and ectopic expression of transgenes to reduce Al uptake or limit damage to cells by Al.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov