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Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a major factor limiting crop yields on acid soils. There is considerable genotypic variation for Al tolerance in most common plant species. In maize (Zea mays), Al tolerance is a complex phenomenon involving multiple genes and physiological mechanisms yet uncharacterized.

To begin elucidating the molecular basis of maize Al toxicity and tolerance, a detailed temporal analysis of root gene expression under Al stress was performed using microarrays with Al‐tolerant and Al‐sensitive genotypes.

Al altered the expression of significantly more genes in the Al‐sensitive genotype, presumably as a result of more severe Al toxicity. Nevertheless, several Al‐regulated genes exhibited higher expression in the Al‐tolerant genotype. Cell wall‐related genes, as well as low phosphate‐responsive genes, were found to be regulated by Al. In addition, the expression patterns of genes related to Al …