Aluminum (Al) toxicity in acidic soils significantly restricts plant growth and agricultural productivity, especially in regions characterized by highly weathered, infertile, and acidic soils, including tropical and subtropical areas such as Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and parts of Australia. Crops frequently cultivated in these regions, notably rice, maize, soybean, wheat, lentil, barley and banana, exhibit varying levels of susceptibility to Al stress. With climate changes and intensifying agricultural practices projected to increase soil acidification, Al toxicity is expected to become more widespread, presenting escalating threats to global food security. At the physiological level, plant roots are particularly impacted as Al ions interfere with cellular structures and functions, reducing root elongation and impairing essential physiological processes. Although plants have evolved several strategies to respond, such as releasing organic acids into the rhizosphere and sequestering Al ions in vacuoles, our comprehension of these mechanisms, particularly their genetic and molecular regulations, remains incomplete. Recent research has identified several crucial genes and pathways involved—including STOP1 (Sensitive To Proton Rhizotoxicity 1) and the ALMT (Aluminum-Activated Malate Transporter) gene family—but critical gaps remain regarding how these pathways are transcriptionally controlled and can be enhanced in crop varieties.

This Research Topic aims to enhance understanding of the mechanisms underpinning Al tolerance and develop innovative approaches for improving plant resilience, focusing specifically where Al stress is prevalent and persistent. The primary objectives include characterizing the roles and transcriptional regulation of specific genes (such as STOP1 and ALMT gene families), exploring novel mechanisms involving polyamines, miRNAs, and DNA Damage Response (DDR) pathways, and investigating physiological and molecular aspects of Al tolerance specifically within economically relevant crops to promote enhanced tolerance. Furthermore, the research will evaluate strategies for confronting Al stress through both genetic improvement and sustainable agricultural practices, including amendments with substances such as gypsum and boron, or beneficial microorganisms.

To gather further insights into Al tolerance mechanisms and their application for improved crop resilience—particularly relevant to regions and crop systems experiencing significant and increasing Al toxicity—we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Identification and characterization of key genes, molecular pathways, and transcriptional regulation mechanisms involved in Al tolerance

• Novel approaches to Al tolerance involving polyamines, miRNAs, or DNA Damage Response (DDR) pathways

• Insights into physiological and molecular responses of economically important crops (e.g., rice, maize, soybean, wheat, lentil, barley, banana) to Al stress

• Strategies to enhance Al-tolerance through amendments such as gypsum, boron, and other soil improvement measures

• Beneficial microbial interactions, including fungi and other microorganisms, to mitigate Al toxicity in acidic soils

• CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing methods to improve Al tolerance traits in plants

• Screening, breeding, and phenotyping approaches for selecting germplasm with enhanced Al tolerance

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Elucidating Mechanisms of Aluminum Tolerance in Plants