Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
(eISSN: 2229-4473)
Aluminium alleviates fluoride toxicity in Cyamopsis tetragonoloba by enhancing growth performance and reducing fluoride uptake
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Research Articles | Published: 20 May, 2026
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Keywords: Fluoride, Aluminium, Cluster bean, Accumulation
Abstract
Fluoride pollution in agricultural soils has become a major global concern, reducing crop output and quality. In contaminated areas, fluoride stress has an impact on the productivity of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub.), a legume of significant economic value. Fluoride mobility in soil is governed by its distribution between total and soluble forms, which is strongly influenced by soil pH and mineral interactions affecting its bioavailability. This study examined how aluminium can reduce fluoride toxicity in cluster bean varieties. Both separately and in combination, soil was treated with varying quantities of fluoride (0, 200, and 400 mg kg−1) and aluminium (0, 200, and 300 mg kg−1). The highest binding affinity of any metal ion for F⁻ is shown by Al3+, which forms Al-F complexes that decrease fluoride toxicity and bioavailability, especially in acidic environments. The overall plant growth under the fluoride stress was lowered in all five varieties than in control. The greatest decline in growth metrics was noted in HG-2-20 followed by RGC-1033, HG-563, RGC-1066, and RGC-936. Aluminium treatment effectively reduces the negative effects of fluoride by restricting fluoride uptake. These findings show that controlled aluminium supplementation with fluoride could be a useful strategy to improve plant resistance to fluoride toxicity.
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Author Information
Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali Vidyapith, Tonk, India