Changes in micropore system of roots of wheat and triticale seedlings under aluminum stress as determined using water vapor adsorption -: desorption

Plant root structure including the pore system is severely injured in Al-toxic environments. Experimental water vapor desorption isotherms estimated using vacuum chamber method were used to characterize micropore build-up of roots of wheat (Lanca) and triticale (Debo) 4-day seedlings and its changes after 24 h (8mg dm(-3)) aluminum stress. The micropore volumes and average pore radii increased after the stress whereas pore fractal dimensions decreased. The above changes were more pronounced for these roots which were not able to grow further after the stress when compared to the control roots, the total micropore volume was almost twice higher and the fractal dimension reached a value of 2 which is characteristic for flat, two-dimensional surface. The observed alterations of pore system indicate damage of root tissue and possible strong binding of aluminum on cell wall surfaces.