Physiological effects of aluminum/calcium ratios on aluminum toxicity of mungbean seedling growth

Mungbean seedlings were grown in a nutrient solution with combined concentrations of aluminum (Al) (0, 2, and 5 mM) and calcium (Ca) (0-10 mM) in a randomized complete block design experiment for 16 days. The results showed that under no Al stress, Al0 + Ca0 decreased chlorophyll content by 10%, increased soluble protein, free proline content, and electrolyte leakage by 51%, 533%, and 111%, respectively, compared with a control (Al0 + Ca0.5). Under 2 mM Al stress, Al2 + Ca0 decreased chlorophyll content by 19%, increased soluble protein, free proline content, and electrolyte leakage by 48%, 405%, and 55%, respectively, compared with a control (Al2 + Ca0.5). The ratio of Al/Ca = 1:2 increased chlorophyll content by 3%, decreased free proline content and electrolyte leakage by 64% and 34%, respectively. However, all of Al/Ca = 2:1, 1:1 and 1:2 at 2 Al mM significantly increased soluble protein, compared with Al2 + Ca0.5. Under 5 mM Al stress, Al5 + Ca0 decreased chlorophyll content by 11%, and increased soluble protein, free proline content, and electrolyte leakage by 77%, 85%, and 30%, respectively, compared with a control (Al5 + Ca0.5). The ratio of Al/Ca = 1:2 increased chlorophyll content by 14%, decreased free proline content by 80%, and electrolyte leakage by 34%, compared with Al5 + Ca0.5. However, all ratios of Al/Ca = 2:1, 1:1 and 1:2 at 5 mM Al also significantly increased soluble protein, compared with the control. Furthermore, it was observed that Al/Ca = 1:2 could accumulate more Al and Ca in the seedlings than Al/Ca = 2:1 and 1:1 regardless of Al stress (2 mM or 5 mM Al). Lack of Ca affected the synthesis of chlorophyll, increased soluble protein and free proline, and enhanced electrolyte leakage. Al/Ca = 1:2 might be an appropriate ratio for physiological alleviation of Al toxicity to mungbean seedling growth. High concentration of Ca in the solution at appropriate Al/Ca ratio (e.g. Al/Ca = 1:2) could increase chlorophyll content, an indication of alleviation effect. On the contrary, the high Ca caused a significant increase of soluble protein. It suggests the involvement of various proteins that have properties to resist Al toxicity for mungbean seedling growth.