Aluminium toxicity: oxidative stress during germination and early development in purple maize

Abstract

Purple maize is a source of natural pigments that can be used for various industrial purposes; however, soil
contamination from aluminium affects production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aluminium toxicity associated
with different temperatures on seed germination and initial development in purple maize seedlings, through germination, initial
seedling growth and indicators of oxidative damage. The experimental design was completely randomised in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme
(concentrations – 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg L-1 × temperatures – 25 and 30 ºC). The parameters under evaluation were germination
percentage, length and total dry weight of the root system and shoots, and indicators of oxidative damage (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and
total chlorophyll, total carotenoids and lipid peroxidation) at the seedling stage. Aluminium chloride concentrations have no effect
on seed germination in purple maize. With increasing aluminium concentrations, the length, dry weight, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b,
total chlorophyll and total carotenoids of normal purple maize seedlings are reduced, while lipid peroxidation increases. Aluminium
toxicity stress in purple maize seedlings can be detected using biochemical indicators (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total
chlorophyll, total carotenoids and lipid peroxidation).