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About the Authors:
Allison M. Krill
Affiliations United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, Ithaca, New York, United States of America, Cornell University, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
Matias Kirst
Affiliations Institute for Genomic Diversity, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
Leon V. Kochian
Affiliations United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, Ithaca, New York, United States of America, Cornell University, Department of Plant Biology, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
Edward S. Buckler
Affiliations United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, Ithaca, New York, United States of America, Cornell University, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Ithaca, New York, United States of America, Institute for Genomic Diversity, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
Owen A. Hoekenga
* E-mail: [email protected]
Affiliations United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, Ithaca, New York, United States of America, Cornell University, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
Introduction
Aluminum (Al) toxicity from acidic soil is a major constraint to worldwide crop production. Al, one of the most abundant elements in the soil, is solubilized as Al3+ under acidic soil conditions. This form of Al is highly toxic to plant roots. Approximately 30% of the worlds ice-free soils are acidic, 17% of which are considered arable [1]. Maize has become one of the most important grain crops grown on acidic soils due to its demand as a food crop and its ability to tolerate Al [1]. Up to a 70% reduction in maize yields have been seen in these regions due to Al toxicity [1]–[3]. Acid precipitation and intensive agricultural practices such as overuse of ammonia fertilizers accelerate the natural process of soil acidification, especially in the tropical and subtropical regions [4]. Soil amelioration with compounds such as lime can be used to temporarily neutralize the topsoil. However, this is not a feasible option for resource poor farmers or for subsoil...