Impact of Aluminum (Al³⁺) on the Photosynthetic Efficiency of Guaranazeiro Cv. Seedlings. BRS-Amazonas

Abstract

In acidic soils, the bioavailability of Al3+ (Aluminum Ions) increases, which enhances the phytotoxic effects of this element on plants. Although the toxic effects of aluminum on various species are well known, information regarding the effects of Al3+ on the photosynthetic activity of guaraná plants is scarce. Therefore, we evaluated whether increasing Al concentrations interfere with chlorophyll fluorescence and chlorophyll index in guaraná seedlings of the Cv. BRS-Amazonas variety. The experiment consisted of five levels of Al3+ (0; 0.25; 0.5; 1.0 and 2.0 cmolc dm-3), arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications. After 120 days of plant exposure to the treatments, we measured the relative chlorophyll index (RCI) and chlorophyll fluorescence variables (Fv/Fm, PIabs, and PItotal) in the second pair of leaves from the main branch and from the plant apex, in the morning (7:00 AM to 10:00 AM). The results revealed that the evaluated photosynthetic variables (Fv/Fm, PIabs, PItotal, and RCI) were significantly negatively affected (P < 0.05) by the increased Al3+ levels in the growth substrate. The results of this study demonstrate that aluminum, in increasing concentrations, has an adverse effect on the photosynthetic variables of guaraná plants of the Cv. BRS-Amazonas variety. The reductions observed in the evaluated parameters suggest that aluminum directly interferes with the efficiency of the plants' photosynthetic apparatus due to the reduction in electron transport in photosystem II. This effect is particularly evident at aluminum concentrations starting from 0.25 cmolc dm-3, where most of the photosynthetic variables were severely compromised.