Arsenic uptake,distribution, and accumulation in bean plants: Effect of Arsenite and salinity on plant growth and yield

The response of bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to different levels of arsenic (As) and salinity was investigated, including the processes of uptake, distribution, and accumulation of As and the effect of arsenite and salinity on plant growth and fruit production. The experiment was performed in soilless culture at two levels of As: 2 and 5 mg As L^‐1 [added as sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂)], and three saline levels [only sodium chloride (NaCl) was added]: 1,000,2,000, and 4,000 μS#lbcM^‐1. Arsenic uptake and concentration in root increased upon increased NaAsO₂ concentration in the nutrient solution. However, the increase in the As root content was not proportional to the As level in the nutrient solution. High levels of salinity in solution decreased As uptake and the concentration of As in root, stem, and leaf. Upon uptake, As was readily translocated to the aerial organs and approximately half of the absorbed As was transported to the upper parts of the bean plants. The As concentration in fruit always remained below the recommended limit for As content in fruit and edible vegetal products. While salinity did not significantly affect plant growth, arsenite was found to be phytotoxic to the bean plants.     

Arsenic species: effects on and accumulation by tomato plants.

The uptake of arsenic (As) species by Lycopersicum esculentum, growing under soilless culture conditions, was studied. A 4 x 3 x 2 factorial experiment was conducted with four As species (arsenite, arsenate, methylarsonate, and dimethylarsinate), three As concentrations (1, 2, and 5 mg L(-)(1)) and two tomato cultivars (Marmande and Muchamiel). The phytoavailability and phytotoxicity were primarily determined by the As species. The concentrations of As in plant increased significantly with increasing As concentration in solution. Both MA and DMA showed a higher upward translocation than arsenite and arsenate, and treatments with MA and DMA clearly reduced plant growth and fruit yield. The As concentration in tomatoes treated with arsenite or arsenate were within the range considered normal in food crops; however, the As concentration in tomatoes treated with MA and DMA were close to or even above the maximum limit. When tomato plants are exposed to high concentrations of As in nutrient solutions, they may uptake As to concentrations unacceptable for human food.     

Effect of combined nitrogen supply and nodulation on nitrate reductase activity and growth of pea plants

Nitrate reductase activity (NRA; EC 1.6.6.1) was measured in leaves, stems and roots of Pisum sativum cv. Lincoln supplied with different nitrate concentrations and inoculated with selected Rhizobium leguminosarum strains. As a control, noninoculated plants were grown in the same nutrient medium. NRA was determined by an in vivo‐nitrate assay. Although differences in tissue NRA were mainly related to nitrate concentration in the growing medium, nodulation much affected the NRA in the different plant organs, especially in root. An increased proportion of total plant NRA occurred in the leaves and stems as nitrate concentration was increased. Nitrate accumulation in leaves, stems and roots was correlated with the concentration of this ion in the nutrient solution. Nodulation also affects the nitrate accumulation in the different plant organs.     

Effects of Antitranspirant Spray and Potassium: Calcium: Magnesium Ratio on Photosynthesis,Nutrient and Water Uptake,Growth, and Yield of Sweet Pepper

Sweet pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.) were cultivated hydroponically under different nutrient cation ratios at both high potassium (K)/calcium (Ca) (12:2) or magnesium (Mg)/Ca (4:2) ratios, compared with half strength Hoagland's solution (K:Ca:Mg; 3.5:2:0.5). Additionally, antitranspirant (Pinolene) was sprayed every fortnight to the aerial part of the plant at 1% (v/v). The antitranspirant (AT) did not affect dry weight accumulation in the leaves, stems, roots, total plant leaf area, or leaf dry weight percentage. Net carbon dioxide (CO₂) assimilation was not impaired by the AT but the water uptake was reduced significantly independent of the nutrient solution used. The AT did not affect the cation uptake but high Mg significantly reduced Ca concentration in leaves, stems, and fruits, whilst high K had an effect only in old leaves and fruits. The AT reduced fructose and glucose concentration in the leaves but no effect was found in the fruits. Fruit yield was not affected by AT, but it was increased when plants were grown with high Mg/Ca. The percentage of blossom-end rot was reduced with the AT, whilst it was increased with the solutions having high K/Ca or high Mg/Ca. The AT significantly reduced fruit firmness in high Mg/Ca and control solution but no effect was found for fruit color, shape index, total soluble solids, or pericarp thickness.     

Effect of increased cobalt treatments on cobalt concentration and growth of tomato plants

An experiment developed in soilless culture was used to study the effect of several levels of Co²⁺ (0, 5, 15, and 30 mg L^‐1 ) on the growth of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum M. cv. Ramy). Absorption, transport, and accumulation of this metal in roots, stems, leaves, and fruits were also studied. Uptake was increased by application of this metal concentration in the nutrient solution, efficiency of root uptake of cobalt decreased with increased Co²⁺ treatment in the soilless culture system. The translocation of Co²⁺ from roots to aerial vegetative parts was increased with the time of experiment and Co²⁺ concentration in the nutrient solution. The presence of this metal in nutrient solution reduced tomato leaf production and elongation, specially at higher treatments.     

Effects of chromium on the nutrient element content and morphology of tomato

An hydroponic experiment was conducted to study the effects of chromium (Cr³⁺) on the distribution of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and Cr in the plant, and the growth and yield of a tomato plant. Three Cr treatments were established (0, 50, and 100 mg Cr/L in a nutrient solution). In general, the nutrient element concentration in stems and branches was significantly affected by the Cr treatments. Chromium accumulated preferentially in the roots and low transport was detected to the aerial parts. Growth was diminished due to Cr presence in the nutrient solution. Total yield was not affected, however the number of fruits was diminished and the mean fresh weight of fuit increased with each increment of Cr in the nutrient solution. Chromium was not detected in the edible part (fruit) of the plant.     

Silicon nutrition of tomato and bitter gourd with special emphasis on silicon distribution in root fractions

Two plant species, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), were used for in‐depth studies on the dynamics of silicon (Si) uptake and translocation to the shoots and compartmentation of Si in the roots. The experiments were conducted under controlled environmental conditions in nutrient solutions, which were partly amended with 1 mM Si in the form of silicic acid. At harvest, xylem exudates were collected, and Si concentrations and biomass of roots and shoots were determined. Mass flow of Si was calculated based on the Si concentration of the nutrient solution and transpiration determined in a parallel experiment. Plant roots were subjected to a fractionated Si analysis, allowing attributing Si to different root compartments. Silicon concentrations in the roots compared to the shoots were higher in tomato but lower in bitter gourd. A more ready translocation from the roots to the shoots in bitter gourd was in agreement with Si concentrations in the xylem exudates which were higher than in the external solution. In tomato, the xylem‐sap Si concentration was lower than in the nutrient solution. Calculated Si mass flow to the root exceeded Si uptake in tomato, which was consistent with the measured accumulation of Si in the root water‐free space (WFS). In contrast, Si concentration in the root WFS was lower than in the nutrient solution in bitter gourd, reflecting the calculated Si depletion at the root surface based on the comparison of Si mass flow and Si uptake. Within the roots, more than 80% of the total Si was located in the cell wall and less than 10% in the cytoplasmic fractions in tomato. In bitter gourd, between 60% and 70% of the total root Si was attributed to the cell‐wall fraction whereas the proportion of the cytoplasmic fraction reached more than 30%. Our results clearly confirm that tomato belongs to the Si excluders and bitter gourd to the Si‐accumulator plant species for which high Si concentrations in the cytoplasmic root fraction appear to be characteristic.     

二氧化碳施肥对番茄幼苗生长与养分吸收利用的影响

Exposing tomato seedlings to elevated CO2 concentrations may have potentially profound impacts on the tomato yield and quality. A growth chamber experiment was designed to estimate how different nutrient concentrations influenced the effect of elevated CO2 on the growth and nutrient uptake of tomato seedlings. Tomato (Hezuo 906) was grown in pots placed in controlled growth chambers and was subjected to ambient or elevated CO2 (360 or 720 μL L-1), and four nutrient solutions of different strengths (1/2-, 1/4-, 1/8-, and 1/16-strength Japan Yamazaki nutrient solutions) in a completely randomized design. The results indicated that some agricultural characteristics of the tomato seedlings such as the plant height, stem thickness, total dry and fresh weights of the leaves, stems and roots, the G value (G value = total plant dry weight/seedling age),and the seedling vigor index (seedling vigor index = stem thickness/(plant height × total plant dry weight) increased with the elevated CO2, and the increases were strongly dependent on the nutrient solution concentrations, being greater with higher nutrient solution concentrations. The elevated CO2 did not alter the ratio of root to shoot. The total N, P, K, and C absorbed from all the solutions except P in the 1/8- and 1/16-strength nutrient solutions increased in the elevated CO2 treatment. These results demonstrate that the nutrient demands of the tomato seedlings increased at elevated CO2 concentrations.     

氮素对温室番茄果实发育及其氮吸收量的影响

为了探索华北地区连栋温室栽培条件下番茄水培适宜的氮素管理方法,试验设4个处理:N5(扭送素浓度5mmol/L)、N10、N15和N30。其他营养元素的浓度是根据华南农业大学番茄营养液配方配制。比较不同处理间番茄每克鲜果实形成干物质的量、果实鲜重与其直径的关系、植株积累的生物量、产量和氮吸收量等。试验结果表明,在一定范围内,随营养液中氮素浓度越大,果实中每克鲜物质形成的干物质越多。处理N5、N10和N15中,每克鲜果实形成的干物质量分别是0.0733g、0.0804g和0.1316g。继续增加营养液中氮素浓度,每克鲜果实形成的干物质量却降低了,处理N30仅为0.0913g。其他几个指标显示相同的趋势。4个处理中植株的总干重依次为189.1、293.9、734.1和488.2g/m2。产量依次为3.68、6.55、15.50和11.01kg/m2。果实每克干物质的氮吸收量分别是0.0231g、0.0237g、0.0242g和0.0235g。果实鲜重与其直径成幂指数关系,氮素浓度对果实鲜重与其直径的关系影响不大。因此,番茄水培适宜的氮素浓度为15mmol/L。     

Effect of dimethylarsenic acid (DMAA) on growth,tissue arsenic,and photosynthesis of rice plants

The effect of dimethylarsenic acid (DMAA) applied to the root on arsenic (As) uptake and concentration, net photosynthesis (Pn), and growth parameters of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. ‘Mercury') plants was studied. The experiment consisted of four treatments (0, 0.2, 0.8, and 1.6 mg As/L) with four replications in a completely randomized design. The DMAA was applied in nutrient solution as its sodium salt. The solution culture was changed every four days to avoid changes in the As chemical form. Arsenic uptake and concentration in shoot and root increased upon increased DMAA concentration in solution. Upon uptake, DMAA was readily translocated to the shoot. At the two higher rates of DMAA application (0.8 and 1.6 mg As/L), Pn and photosynthetic capacity were significantly decreased in response to tissue As concentration. Leaf area and dry matter production were also significantly reduced at the two higher rates of DMAA. At the lower rate (0.2 mg As/L) of DMAA application, there was no significant reduction in Pn or growth. Dimethylarsenic acid application did not affect nutrient allocation within the rice plant at concentration levels used in this study.     

外源一氧化氮介导铜胁迫下番茄幼苗中铁、锌、锰的累积及亚细胞分布

采用营养液培养方法,以改良毛粉802F1番茄为材料, 研究外源一氧化氮（NO,SNP为供体）对铜（Cu）胁迫下番茄幼苗铁（Fe）、 锌（Zn）、 锰（Mn）吸收分配的影响。结果显示, 50 mol/ L的 Cu2+ 胁迫下,番茄幼苗的生物量和株高显著降低了33.7% 和23.1%,外施100 mol/L SNP可显著缓解这种抑制作用, 提高Cu 胁迫下番茄幼苗根系、 茎中Fe、 Mn含量及叶柄、 叶片中Fe、 Zn含量,降低茎中Zn含量及叶柄、 叶片中Mn含量; 根系、 茎、 叶柄、 叶片Fe、 Zn及根系和茎中Mn的累积相应增加; 根系吸收的Fe、 Zn、 Mn向地上部的转运降低。Cu 胁迫下, 外源NO可显著提高番茄液泡、 细胞器的Fe、 Zn 含量, 降低根系和叶片细胞壁Fe、 Zn、 Mn含量。在作为转运组织的茎和叶柄中,Mn主要分布在细胞壁上,而在叶柄和叶片液泡、 细胞器中也有增加。表明外源NO可以调控番茄幼苗各部位及亚细胞中Fe、 Zn、 Mn的合理分布,维持胞质离子稳态和矿质营养元素平衡,缓解铜胁迫,保证番茄幼苗正常的生理代谢。     

Uptake and Accumulation Characteristics of Arsenic and Iron Plaque in Rice at Different Growth Stages

Arsenic (As) uptake by rice plants and its toxicity to human beings have caused worldwide concerns. Investigating the characteristics of As accumulation in rice in relation to root surface iron plaque during the whole growth of rice would provide important information for devising measures to mitigate rice As uptake in As-polluted areas. Uptake and accumulation characteristics of As in rice at different growth stages as well as iron plaque on rice root surfaces were investigated in a pot culture experiment in a greenhouse. The results showed that As concentrations in roots, stems, and leaves increased with rice growth, while As concentration in spikelets decreased with grain development: 53.63% of As content in leaves, 61.51% in spikelets, and 82.09% in stems were found at both the jointing and booting stages, which suggested that the two stages were the key stages of As uptake. Root surface iron plaque at different growth stages was extracted by DCB (dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate). DCB-extractable iron (Fe) and DCB-extractable As were significantly increased with rice growth (P < 0.001), and there was a significant positive correlation between DCB-extractable Fe and As (P < 0.001), indicating that iron plaque was very important to sequester As on rice root surfaces.     

不同氮素形态对干旱胁迫杉木幼苗养分吸收及分配的影响

【目的】干旱胁迫是限制植物生长的重要非生物因素之一,而适宜的氮素营养可以提高植物的抗旱性。本文探讨了供应不同形态氮源对干旱条件下杉木[Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook]幼苗养分吸收及分配的影响。【方法】采用水培试验,供试杉木材料为2个无性系幼苗(7–14号和8–8号),在营养液中添加10%(w/v)PEG-6000进行干旱胁迫。营养液中的氮源处理包括硝态氮、铵态氮、硝铵混合氮,氮素浓度均为4.571mmol/L,每个品种均设6个处理。培养20天后,测定了杉木幼苗根、茎、叶的养分含量及生物量。【结果】与正常水分供应相比较,干旱胁迫条件下供应铵态氮可促进叶片N、K以及茎叶P、K的吸收,供应混合氮可促进根部K的吸收;供应铵态氮可促进根、茎对Ca的吸收,对叶片Ca无明显作用。干旱胁迫对根部Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn吸收量影响显著,氮素供应不同程度地降低了干旱胁迫下各器官Mg、Fe、Mn和Cu吸收量,表现为抑制吸收,但添加铵态氮比硝态氮的降低幅度小。3个氮源处理均降低了干旱条件下根部Zn吸收量,但没有降低甚至增加了茎、叶中Zn的吸收量,说明氮营养可调节Zn在各器官间的分配,缓解干旱导致的缺锌现象。不同器官之间各养分吸收量差异显著,3个氮源处理中,N和P吸收量表现为叶>根>茎,K和Ca为叶>茎>根,Fe、Cu为根>叶>茎,Mg、Mn和Zn在各器官之间的分配规律不一。铵态氮吸收量均表现为叶>根>茎,且各器官铵态氮吸收量显著高于硝态氮,说明杉木具有明显的喜铵特性。【结论】在干旱胁迫下,氮素供应形态显著影响杉木幼苗对养分的吸收及在各器官中的分配,作用效果因家系品种和元素种类而异。总体来讲,铵态氮提高干旱胁迫下杉木幼苗养分吸收的效果好于硝态氮,杉木可以认为是喜铵植物。     

Effects of humic acids and herbicides,and their combinations on the growth of tomato seedlings in hydroponics

The morphology and length of roots and shoots of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seedlings grown on a nutrient medium for fourteen days in a controlled environment chamber were apparently not affected, whereas the dry matter content of roots was significantly enhanced when 200 mg L^?1 of humic acid (HA) isolated from either a non-amended soil or a sewage-sludge-amended soil was present in the nutrient medium. In contrast, the HA-like fraction isolated directly from the sewage sludge caused, under the same conditions, extensive alterations of tomato morphology and a significant reduction of the length and dry weight of both shoots and roots. The presence in the nutrient medium of the herbicides alachlor or imazethapyr at concentrations of 1 and 0.01 mg L^?1, respectively, caused a marked decrease of tomato root and shoot length and dry weight. Differently, the herbicide rimsulfuron at a concentration of 0.01 mg L^?1 produced a slight decrease in shoot and root length and a slight increase in their dry weight. A combination of 200 mg L^?1 soil HA and each of the herbicides alachlor, rimsulfuron and imazethapyr at concentrations of 1, 0.01 and 0.01 mg L^?1, respectively, in the nutrient medium attenuated the growth depression of tomato shoots and roots observed in the presence of the herbicide alone. However, the simultaneous presence of sewage sludge HA and any herbicide in the nutrient solution caused negative synergistic effects on tomato growth. The volume of nutrient solution and the amount of electrolytes taken up by tomato plants during the growth experiments correlated highly significantly with the total plant dry weight. Tomato seedlings induced a pH decrease in the nutrient medium in all treatments except in those where sludge-HA was present, either alone or in combination with any herbicide.     

Gornig,Cleve A.I. und Hanaker,J.W. (Hrsg.): Organic Chemicals in the soil environment Vol. I u. II. zus. 968 S., Preis 24,50 und 26,50 US $. Verlag Marcel Dekker,New York 1972

Investigations on translocation of magnesium (²⁸Mg) in sunflower plants. 1. The translocation and retranslocation of Mg respectively ²⁸Mg in sunflower plants of different age have been investigated. The focus of this investigation was on the influence of the composition of the uptake solution and the age of plants on the uptake of Mg respectively ²⁸Mg through the roots or through the leaves and on Mg translocation (distribution). 2. After sunflower plants were grown in Mg-deficient 1/2-Hoagland solution Mg in the plants were redistributed. The Mg in the roots, stems, cotyledons, primary and secondary leaves was retranslocated to the youngest leaves. 3. In isolated, secondary-rooted sunflower shoots grown in Mg-deficient solution, plant Mg was retranslocated into the new roots and into the youngest shoots. 4. The ²⁸Mg-uptake from the 0,2 mM MgSO₄ solution was usually higher than from the 1/10-Hoagland solution. The composition of the uptake solution had little influence on the distribution of ²⁸Mg. Independent of the age plants had the highest ²⁸Mg content in the young and the lowest in the old leaves. 5. Root uptake of ²⁸Mg resulted in a more uniform distribution in the plant than leaf uptake. The old leaves had a higher ²⁸Mg content by root uptake than by leaf uptake of ²⁸Mg. This is probably influenced by transpiration, in combination with the xylem transport of ²⁸Mg after root uptake, which differs from leaf uptake and translocation in basipetal direction. 6. With increased age of plants, the content of ²⁸Mg/10 gr. fresh weight decreased and the difference in content between the parts of plant was higher. The decrease of Mg content in the oldest leaves was the highest. 7. The results showed that Mg was transportable in the phloem. The magnitude and the direction of Mg transport was determined as primarily through the assimilation stream, which is coupled with Mg transport in plants.     

Aluminum toxicity in tomato. Part 1. growth and mineral nutrition

Aluminum (Al) toxicity was studied in two tomato cultivars (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ‘Mountain Pride’ and Floramerica') grown in diluted nutrient solution (pH 4.0) at 0, 10, 25, and 50 μM Al levels. In the presence of 25 and 50 μM Al, significant reduction was found in leaf area, dry weight, stem length, and longest root length of both cultivars. Growth of ‘Floramerica’ was less sensitive to Al toxicity than growth of ‘Mountain Pride’. Elemental composition of the nutrient solutions were compared immediately after the first Al addition and four days later. The uptake of micronutrients copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), boron (B), and iron (Fe) from the nutrient solution was reduced in both cultivars with increasing Al levels. Nutrient solution Al gradually decreased in time for every treatment; less in cultures of ‘Floramerica’ than in ‘Mountain Pride’. Aluminum treatments decreased the calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), Mn, Fe, and Zn content in the roots, stems, and leaves. Aluminum treatment promoted the accumulation of P, Mo, and Cu in the roots, and inhibited the transport of these nutrients into stems and leaves. At 25 and 50 μM levels of Al, lower Al content was found in the roots of cv. “Floramerica’ than in the roots of cv. ‘Mountain Pride’.     

INFLUENCE OF SODIUM CHLORIDE AND CALCIUM FOLIAR SPRAY ON HYDROPONICALLY GROWN PARSLEY IN NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE SYSTEM

The effects of salinity [30 or 90 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)] and calcium (Ca) foliar application on plant growth were investigated in hydroponically-grown parsley (Petroselinum crispum Mill). Increasing salinity reduced fresh weight and leaf number. Calcium alleviated the negative impacts of 30 mM NaCl on plant biomass and leaf fresh weight but not in case of 90 mM. Plant height, leaf and root dry weight and root length did not differ among treatments. Total phenols increased with calcium application, chlorophyll b reduced by salinity, while total carotenoids increased with salinity and/or Ca application. Salinity reduced nutrient uptake [nitrate (NO₃), potassium (K), phosphorus (P) and Ca] and elemental content in leaves and roots. Calcium application reduced P but increased Ca content in plant tissues. Increments of Na uptake in nutrient solution resulted in higher Na content in leaves and roots regardless Ca application. These findings suggest that calcium treatment may alleviate the negative impacts of salinity.     

Evaluation of tomato growth and soil properties under methods of seedling bed preparation in an alfisol in the rainforest zone of Southwest Nigeria

Tillage is expected to influence growth, yield and nutrient status of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill.) plant, but there is scarcity of research to investigate the relationship between tillage and performance parameters of tomato. Hence the variation in soil physical and chemical properties, tomato growth, plant nutrient contents and fruit yield in response to different tillage methods and seedling bed types and positions, were investigated on an alfisol (Ferric Luvisol) at Akure in the rainforest zone of Nigeria. Different bed types for transplanted tomato seedlings were created using herbicide-based zero tillage, manual clearing (a form of zero tillage), top, side and base positions of ridges and mounds for planting seedlings of early and late season tomato crops. The soil at the top, side and base positions of ridges and mounds had lower bulk densities that was associated with greater root length, plant height, number of stems, branches and number of leaves and weight of tomato fruits, and leaf nutrient contents compared with zero tillage and manually cleared soils. Planting on ridge or mound positions increased the number of fruits and fruit weight by 200 and 100%, respectively, compared with planting on untilled soils. Soil bulk density was negatively correlated with root growth and leaf nutrient content. Tomato requires tillage for optimum productivity.     

Season-Dependent Fruit Loading: Effect on Dry Mass,Water, and Nitrogen Allocation in Tomato Plants

Tomato plants were grown hydroponically in greenhouse under common commercial cultivation practice during two seasons: winter, with lower temperatures (LT) and summer, with higher temperatures of (HT), and results were compared. The effect of season on fruit load was drastic and the hypothesis was advanced that nitrogen (N) homeostasis at the whole plant level might be significantly affected, as measured by the extractable N of the stem. During LT, dry-mass accumulation occurred more or less at the same rate in all plant parts. The high fruit load at HT altered the picture, with dry-mass accumulation present at different rates in the various plant organs. Low temperatures positively affected root weight, which was significantly higher; influenced root morphology; and negatively affected fruit load. There were significant differences between the two seasons at the time of flowering, fruit setting, and fruit maturation in terms of the number of leaves and inflorescences on the main stem and in the rate of their appearance. In summer, water content of leaves and roots was lower, but not that of stem. Also, water content of roots increased considerably increase in the last five weeks, which coincided with the temperature and fruit-load decrease at the end of the season. Nitrogen concentration of leaves was higher than that of roots throughout HT, while extractable N concentration increased significantly at the middle part of the stem, where it bore the main fruit load. This effect was more profound when more fruits were ripening. Low temperature conditions were characterized by a significant decrease of root water content, while extractable N allocation was not significantly affected and root total N was higher.     

Growth and nutrient uptake of peach seedlings with varying magnesium concentrations at low pH 1

Soils of the peach growing region of the Southeastern Coastal Plain are highly leached and excessively acid, with inherently low concentrations of subsoil magnesium (Mg). A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the effects of varying Mg concentrations at low pH on growth and Mg uptake of three peach seedling cultivars commonly used as rootstock in the region. Seedlings of ‘Lovell’, ‘Elberta’, [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] and ‘Nemaguard’ [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch X Prunus davidiana Carriere] were grown for 36 days in nutrient solution containing 9, 21, 42, 84, 167, 333, and 667 μM Mg. Magnesium concentration in solution did not increase lateral length, number of laterals, trunk cross‐sectional area, or root volume. All terminal growth responses were cultivar related. Magnesium concentration in the leaves, stems, and roots were increased either by quadratic or cubic relationship with solution Mg concentration while Mg uptake rate was increased linearly with solution Mg concentration with all three seedling cultivar. Uptake rates of calcium, manganese, and zinc, and tissue concentrations of phosphorus, manganese, and zinc decreased with increasing Mg concentrations in nutrient solution. Predicted Mg uptake rates by‐regression analysis revealed a cubic uptake isotherm for Nemaguard and a quadratic isotherm for Elberta. Predicted tissue Mg concentration followed similar patterns of accumulation for leaves and stems, but root Mg concentration followed a cubic uptake isotherm for all three seedlings. The linear Mg uptake at low pH may be an important physiological characteristic that enables Lovell seedlings to outperform either Elberta or Nemaguard when used as a rootstock in the southeastern soils.