Morphological Alterations of Corn (Zea mays L.) Plants in Response to Aluminum Toxicity in the Soil

The objective of the experiment was to identify the morphological alterations in corn genotypes in response to aluminum toxicity in the soil. A complete randomized block design with five replications was used. The a factorial scheme was composed of two corn genotypes (C525M- tolerant, and HS701B- sensitive) and two neutralization levels (0 % and 100 % of aluminum saturation). The evaluations were performed at six leaf and 10-11 leaf growth stages, emergence of the “stigma-style”, and the physiological maturity. The presence of toxic aluminum didn’t significantly reduce diameter and height of stem, leaf area, dry matter of aerial parts, total dry matter and yield. Stem diameter, leaf area, dry matter of root, dry matter of aerial parts, total dry matter and yield did not allow the separation of genotypes in relation to aluminum toxicity in the soil