| Abstract: | To study the interrelationship of organic acids and aluminum concentrations in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soil solution of rice (var. Satabdi and IR 64) in acidic soil, plants were grown in plastic pots containing 500 g soil. Three organic acids (viz., tartaric, oxalic, and citric acids) were identified and quantified in rice rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils. Organic acids were found more in the rhizosphere soil and at early stages of crop growth, decreased sharply after 30 days of germination, and found in negligible quantity after 45 days of germination. Regression analysis revealed a significant and negative relationship between solution aluminum and organic acid. Satabdi showed greater organic acid concentration in rhizosphere soil, leading to significantly lower root and shoot aluminum concentrations and consequently significantly greater dry-matter production as well as root volume, compared to IR 64. The findings established that organic acids can effectively reduce aluminum concentration in soil solution. |
