Organic acid metabolism and root excretion of malate in wheat cultivars under aluminium stress

The effects of aluminium (Al) on the metabolism of organic acids synthesised via nonphotosynthetic carbon fixation in the roots and on malate exudation were investigated in Al-tolerant Shirosanjyaku (SH) and Al-sensitive Chikushikomugi (CK) wheat cultivars labelled with bicarbonate-14C. Aluminum triggered the excretion of 14C into the solution, especially in the SH that excreted 2.5 times more 14C than the CK. The loss of radioactivity (about 10%) into the solution represented a small drain in the 14C reserve found in the roots. In the organic acid fraction within the roots, malate contained the greatest amount of 14C, and this amount decreased rapidly with time in both cultivars. The disappearance of radioactivity in the malate resulted from metabolism and translocation rather than to root efflux. Aluminium decreased the malate concentrations in roots of both cultivars. The Al-sensitive cultivar had higher concentrations of malate regardless of the presence of Al. It was therefore assumed that the decrease of malate concentration in roots under Al stress did not result from the decline in malate synthesis but due to an increase in malate decomposition. This response was interpreted as the result of the Al-induced stress and not as the cause of a differential Al-tolerance between the wheat cultivars. An important component of the differential Al tolerance between SH and CK is the greater ability of the Al-tolerant cultivar to excrete malate from the roots, which is independent of its internal concentration in the roots.

Research highlights
► Al triggered the excretion of 14C into the solution.
► Al tolerant SH cultivar excreted 2.5 times more 14C than the Al sensitive CK.
► Malate contained the greatest amount of 14C.
► Al decreased malate concentrations in roots of both cultivars but not the synthesis.
► Al-tolerant cultivar had greater ability to excrete malate from roots than Al-sensitve.