Effects of humic and fulvic acids on growth of tobacco. 2. Tobacco growth and ion uptake 1

Experiments were conducted in growth chambers of the Phytotron to evaluate the effects of humic and fulvic acids on growth and ion uptake by tobacco plants grown to flowering.

When small amounts of humic or fulvic acids were added to media used to grow seedlings, the dry weight of roots and tops and the height of the plants subsequently grown in a nutrient solution with small amounts of humic or fulvic acids increased, while at high rates of humic acids they decreased. Generally, there was a trend for low rates of humic acids to increase concentration of Ca and Mg in roots and leaves and to decrease Fe concentration in roots.

The total content of N, K, P, Ca, Mg and Fe in the stalk and leaves increased in the presence of small amounts of humic or fulvic acids in the nutrient solution. Low rates of humic or fulvic acids in the growth medium facilitated the adsorption of Ca, Mg and Fe and their translocation within the plant. For high rates of humic acids there was a trend to decrease the total content of N, K, P, Ca and Fe in the roots and leaves of the plant.