UTILIZATION OF ANALYTICAL MICROSCOPIES FOR THE LOCALIZATION OF ALUMINUM IN ROOTS - CONSEQUENCES ON PHYTOTOXICITY

Aluminium phytotoxicity is one of the main natural chemical stress which can inhibit plant development in acid soils. Some data are presented on the localization of aluminium in roots at different scales. These data involve the possibilities and limitations of the different technics, some references to the litterature, and first results obtained experimentally on different plant species. Light microscopy observation can be combined with a colorimetric method of Al using aluminon. It gives a first general view of Al repartition at mm scale along a longitudinal section of the root. At another scale (mum), with analytical scanning electron microscopy, it is possible to observe a longitudinal section of the root. At a nanoscale, analytical electron transmission microscopy is used to make a more precise speciation of Al.