Evaluating the Madeiran wheat germplasm for aluminum resistance using aluminium-induced callose formation in root apices as a marker

Abstract

Aluminum (Al) resistance of 57 Madeiran wheat cultivars was evaluated using callose content in root tips and root elongation as markers. Al induced callose formation was a very sensitive indicator of Al damage detecting wide range of genotypic differences existing in the Madeiran wheat germplasm. A weak, yet positive correlation (R2=0.285, P<0.05) between callose content and root elongation was found.