Aluminum toxicity on the germination of onion seeds

As a result of human activity, the contamination of water, soil and seeds by potentially toxic metals, such as aluminum (Al), is an obstacle to agriculture. The aim of this study was to verify how onion seeds tolerate aluminum during germination and initial seedling growth. Seeds were placed on paper soaked in an aqueous solution of aluminum chloride at concentrations of zero, 15, 30, 45 and 60 mg L-1. The parameters evaluated were germination percentage, first count, and total length, shoot length, root length and dry mass of seedlings. Concentrations above 45 mg L-1 caused a reduction in the total length and root length of the seedlings onion, but did not influence the germination percentage of the seeds. Based on the results, it can be concluded that onion seeds are moderately tolerant to Al levels tested in this study.