Aluminium (Al)
Role in plants
Aluminium has no nutritional role. It becomes biologically active primarily under acidic conditions.
Toxicity symptoms
- Severe root growth inhibition
- Short, thickened, brittle roots
- Reduced water and nutrient uptake
- Phosphorus fixation and deficiency
- Stunting and poor establishment
Conditions promoting toxicity
- Low pH (typically <5.5 in soils)
- Acidic, poorly buffered substrates
- Acid rain or prolonged ammonium fertilisation
Natural sources
- Clay minerals
- Acidic parent materials
Agronomic significance
Aluminium toxicity is a pH problem, not a fertiliser problem. Liming, buffering, and root-zone pH management are the primary controls.
Plant interaction form