Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Early Growth in Response to Al Stress: In Search for Al-tolerant Sorghum Genotypes

Abstract

An experiment to study the effect of aluminium stress on the growth of 10 genotypes of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in nutrient solution was carried out at Plant Physiology Laboratory and greenhouse of Andalas University, Padang, Indonesia from July to September 2014. The study aimed at determining sorghum genotypes potentially tolerant to aluminium stress. The sorghum genotypes were Super1, Super2, No.2, No. 4, No.10, No.12, No.33, No.40, and No.50. Sorghum seeds were germinated in sterile sand and were kept for six days prior to transplanting into Hoagland’s nutrient solution for two weeks. The genotypes were subjected to 0 ppm and 8 ppm aluminium concentrations in the nutrient solution. Results demonstrated that sorghum early growth responded differently to the treatments. Reduction in root growth, root length, root weight and shoot weight were observed in all genotypes grown in 8 ppm aluminium treated nutrient solution. Genotypes of No. 10, No. 34, Super 1, and No. 45 were found to be potentaially tolerant to aluminium stress at 8 ppm