Effect of Al, Co, and Pb ions on growth of Frankia spp. in a mineral medium.

Growth of three Frankia strains associated with roots of Casuarina tree, treated with different concentrations of metal ions, was measured as total protein content. One strain was highly resistant to different aluminum ion concentrations up to 10 mmol/L. The other two strains were more sensitive to the higher aluminum concentrations (1.25-10 mmol/L). Growth inhibition by cobalt and lead concentrations varied, depending on the tested strain. Stimulation occurred only at cobalt concentrations of 0.33 and 0.65 mmol/L for one strain.