Association of Aluminium with Nuclei and Inhibition of Cell Division in Onion (Allium cepa) Roots

Summary In order to elucidate the injurious effect of Aluminium (AI) on root elongation, the localization of Al absorbed at the nucleus and the inhibition of cell division by Al was investigated in Allium cepa roots. The localization of Al at the nucleus was confirmed by staining with aluminon and by chemical analysis of nuclei isolated by zonal centrifugation. The inhibition of cell division was observed microscopically by counting the number of cells in metaphase, which is an index of the meristematic cell. This number decreased abruptly within several hours and no cells in metaphase were detected 10 h after treatment with AI.