The Effect of Aluminium and some other Trivalent Metal Cations on Cell Division in the Root Apices of Allium cepa

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Abstract
The morphological abnormalities of root systems treated with aluminium salts are such that they may be explained by an inhibitory effect of aluminium on either cell division or cell extension. Elongation of onion roots was completely inhibited after 6–8 hours' treatment with 10−3and 10−4M aluminium sulphate solutions. Examination of aceto-carmine squashes of root apices showed that the cessation of root elongation was closely correlated with the disappearance of mitotic figures. The time taken for complete inhibition of cell division and root elongation was dependent on the ambient temperature. Abnormalities of the mitotic apparatus were not seen. Treatment of onion roots with other trivalent metals, gallium, indium, and lanthanum, produced similar results. It is concluded that some mechanism associated with cell division is highly sensitive to aluminium and is permanently damaged by short exposures. The results are not satisfactorily explained by the well-known effect of aluminium on phosphorus uptake.