Genotypic differences in aluminum tolerance of cowpea accessions utilizing germination parameters

Abstract

One of the major factors which limit the productivity of cowpea on acid soils is aluminum toxicity. Reliable methods for identifying genetic variation for its tolerance is indispensable. Genetic variability for aluminum tolerance in 10 accessions of cowpea were studied in the laboratory. Fifteen seeds of each accession were sown in sterilized petri dishes containing filter papers and 5 ml of AlCl3 at four levels (0, 50, 100 and 200 µm) and replicated three times in a completely randomised design (CRD). Petri dishes were incubated under room temperature in the dark for 48 hours. After 48 hours, they were exposed to photoperiod of 12 hr. / 12 hr. (day/night) at room temperature for another 48 hours. At day four after sowing, data were collected on percentage germination, number of roots per shoot, fresh weight of shoot, root length and hypocotyl length and fresh weight of shoot. Data were subjected to statistical analysis and accessions were arranged on their tolerance to aluminum stress by means of tolerance indices. Analysis of variance revealed significant effect of accessions on all parameters. Treatment was significant for all excluding percentage germination. Treatment by accession was significant for number of roots and root length. The observed genetic variation in cowpea for aluminum stress could be exploited by hybridisation to establish tolerant lines. Selection based on high heritability and GAM in percentage germination, hypocotyl length and number of roots in cowpea under aluminum stress can be exploited for selection.

Keywords

• Aluminum
• acid soils
• germination parameters
• tolerance indices

References

1. 1. Ajayi, A.T., A.E. Gbadamosi, and V.O. Olumekun, Screening for drought tolerance in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) at seedling stage under the screen house condition. International Journal of Biosciences and Technology, 2018, 11(1): 1–19.
2. 2. Abdou-Razakou, I.B.Y., et al., Using morpho-physiological parameters to evaluate cowpea varieties for drought tolerance. International Journal of Agricultural Science Research, 2013, 2(5): 153–162.
3. 3. Giannakoula, A., et al., Aluminum stress induces up-regulation of an efficient antioxidant system in the Al-tolerant maize line but not in the Al-sensitive line. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 2010, 67: 487–494.
4. 4. Jayasundara, H.P.S., B.D. Thomson, and C. Tang, Responses of cool season grain legumes to soil abiotic stresses. Advances in Agronomy, 1998, 63: 77–151.
5. 5. Kochian, L.V., M.A. Pineros, and O.A. Hoekenga, The physiology, genetics and molecular biology of plant aluminium resistance and toxicity. Plant and Soil, 2005, 274: 175–195.
6. 6. Rout, G.R., S. Samantara, and P. Dasp, Aluminum toxicity in plants. Agronomie, 2001, 21: 3–21.
7. 7. Oluwatoyinbo, F.I., M.O. Akande, and J.A. Adeniran, Response of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) to lime and phosphorus fertilization in acid soil. World Journal Agricultural Sciences, 2005, 1: 178–183.
8. 8. Ryan, P.R., et al., The identification of aluminium-resistance genes provides opportunities for enhancing crop production on acid soils. Journal of Experimental Botany, 2011, 62(1): 9–20.

9. 9. Opara-Nadi, O. A., Liming and organic matter interaction in two Nigerian Ultisols: effect on soil pH, organic carbon and early growth of maize (Zea mays. L). Paper presented at the 16th annual conference of Soil Science Society of Nigeria, 1988, November, 27–30.
10. 10. Hakim, N., Organic matter for increasing P fertilizer use efficiency of maize in Ultisol by using 32 P technique. Paper presented at 17th World Congress of Soil Science, 2002, Bangkok, Thailand, August 14–21.
11. 11. Uzoho, B.U., and N.N. Oti, Phosphorus adsorption characteristics of selected Southeastern Nigerian soils. Journal of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Extension, 2005, 4(1): 50–55.
12. 12. Akinrinde, E.A., Strategies for improving crop use efficiencies of fertilizer nutrients in sustainable agricultural systems. Pakistan Journal Nutrition, 2006, 5: 185–193.
13. 13. Bessho, T., and L.C. Bell, Soil solid and solution phase changes and mung bean responsible during amelioration of aluminum toxicity with organic matter. Plant, 1992, 140: 183–186.
14. 14. Iroh, L., Plant growth, nutritional status and final yield in cowpea genotypes grown on an acid mineral soil with different levels of phosphorus supply. Master’s Thesis, Stuttgart, Germany: Universit at Hohenheim, 2004.
15. 15. Akinrinde, E.A., et al., Response of cowpea varieties to phosphorus supply on an acidic alumi – haplic – acrisol from Brazil. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 2005, 16: 1.
16. 16. Akinrinde, E.A., et al., Differential expression of aluminium tolerance mechanisms in cowpea genotypes under phosphorus limitation. Journal of Applied Sciences, 2006, 6(4): 854–859.
17. 17. Kushwala, J.K., et al., Screening of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp] for aluminium tolerance in relation to growth, yield and related traits. Legume Research, 2017, 40(3): 434–438.
18. 18. Kenechukwu, N.E., M.O. Adewale, and A.A. Ezekiel, Aluminium influence on performance of some cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) varieties on a Nigerian Alfisol. World Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2007, 3(4): 517–522.
19. 19. Ryan, P.R., J.M. Ditomaso, and L.V. Kochian, Aluminum toxicity in roots: An investigation of spatial sensitivity and the role of the root cap. Journal of Experimental Botany, 1993, 44: 437–446.
20. 20. Blancaflor, E.B., D.L. Jones, and S. Gilroy, Alterations in the cytoskeleton accompany aluminum – induced growth inhibition and morphological changes in primary roots of maize. Plant Physiology, 1998, 118: 159–172.
21. 21. Pellet, D.M., D.L. Grunes, and L.V. Kochian, Organic acid exuda- scanning microscopy. Plant Physiology, 1995, 124: 545–552.
22. 22. Kamh, M., P. Roppel, and W.J. Horst, Exudation of organic acid anions by different maize cultivars as affected by phosphorus deficiency and aluminium toxicity, in Plant Nutrition-Food Security and Sustainability of Agro-Ecosystems, W.J. Horst, Editor. 2001, Kluwer Academic Publishers. Dordrecht. p. 490 – 491.
23. 23. Richard, C., et al., Genotypic variation in seedling tolerance to aluminum toxicity in historical maize inbred lines of Zambia. Agronomy, 2015, 5: 200–219. 24. Tang, Y., et al., Physiological genetics of aluminum tolerance in the wheat cultivar Atlass66. Crop Science, 2002, 42: 1541–1546.
24. 25. Jamal, S.N., M.Z. Iqbal, and M. Ather, Effect of aluminum and chromium on the germination and growth of two Vigna species. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 2006, 3(1): 53–58.
25. 26. Pan, X.B., C. Zhu, and C. Chang, Assessment of techniques for screening alfalfa cultivars for aluminum tolerance. Euphytica, 2008, 164: 541–549.
26. 27. Roy, B. and S. Bhadra, Effect of toxic levels of aluminium on seedling parameters of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under hydroponic culture. Rice Science, 2014, 21(4): 217–223.
27. 28. Ojo, G.O.S., L.L. Bello, and S.A. Ayuba, Genetic variation for seedling traits in hydroponics and correlated response with mature plant traits on acid soil field. International Journal of Plant and Soil Science, 2016, 10(6): 1–8.
28. 29. Leon, V., et al., Effects of three nickel salts on germinating seeds of Grevillea exul var. rubiginosa, an endemic serpentine Proteaceae. Annals of Botany, 2005, 95: 609–618.
29. 30. Pan, X-B., C. Zhu, and C. Cheng, Assessment of techniques for screening alfalfa cultivars for aluminum tolerance. Euphytica, 2008, 164:541–549.
30. 31. SPSS, Statistical package for social science, 2017, 20. SPSS Inc., Chicago IL: USA.
31. 32. Iqbal, M.D.A., Study of drought tolerance indices in some bread and durum wheat cultivars. Jordan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2016, 12(4): 1125–1139.
32. 33. Hammer, O., D.A.T. Harper, D.A.T., and P.D. Ryan, PAST: Paleontological Statistical Software Package for Education and Data Analysis. Palaeontologia Electronica, 2001, 4(1): 9.
33. 34. PB Tools, Plant breeding tools, Biometrics and breeding informatics, 2014, 1.4., Los Banos: Laguna.
34. 35. Alamgir, A.N.M. and S. Akhter, Effects of aluminum on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Bangladesh Journal of Botany, 2009, 38(1): 1–6.
35. 36. Neogy, M., et al., (2000). Studies on phytotoxic effect of aluminum on growth and some morphological parameters of Vigna radiata L. Wilcz. Journal of Environmental Biology, 2000, 23: 411–416.
36. 37. Masole, H., An assessment of maize development in Zambia. African Crop Science Society, 1997, 3: 747–753.
37. 38. Hosseini, S.J., et al., Estimation of heritability and genetic advance for screening some rice genotypes at salt stress conditions. International Journal of Agronomy and Plant Production, 2012, 3: 475–482.