An evaluation of aluminum indices to predict aluminum toxicity to plants grown in nutrient solutions
- 1 December 1986
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis
- Vol. 17 (12), 1271-1280
- https://doi.org/10.1080/00103628609367789
Abstract
Difficulty has been experienced in establishing a suitable aluminum (Al) index to predict Al toxicity to plants grown in nutrient solutions with a wide range of properties. In the present study, relationships were evaluated between root length and (i) concentration of total Al, (ii) concentration of monomeric Al, and (iii) the sum of the activities of monomeric Al species (SaAl mono) in solution. Results are reported for soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Total Al concentration in solution, comprising polymeric and monomeric Al species, was a poor index of Al toxicity, confirming the hypothesis that only monomeric Al is toxic to root growth. In solutions with widely differing composition, the concentration of monomeric Al also proved unsatisfactory due to ionic strength effects on the activities of monomeric Al species. SaAl mono was the best index of Al toxicity, accounting for 72 to 92 % of the variation in root length depending on the plant species. Root length was reduced by 50% at SaAl mono of 7–16 μM in soybean, 13 μM in subterranean clover and alfalfa, and 11 μM in sunflower.Keywords
This publication has 13 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effects of Phosphorus/Aluminum Molar Ratio and Calcium Concentration on Plant Response to Aluminum ToxicitySoil Science Society of America Journal, 1985
- Ion Activities: An Historical and Theoretical OverviewSoil Science Society of America Journal, 1984
- EFFECTS OF ALUMINUM, OHSoil Science, 1983
- Chemical Factors Affecting Root Growth in Subsoil Horizons of Coastal Plain SoilsSoil Science Society of America Journal, 1983
- Toxicity of Aluminum to Coffee Seedlings Grown in Nutrient SolutionSoil Science Society of America Journal, 1982
- Nutritional imbalances and constraints to plant growth on acid soilsJournal of Plant Nutrition, 1981
- ROOT RESPONSES OF THREE GRAMINEAE SPECIES TO SOIL ACIDITY IN AN OXISOL AND AN ULTISOLSoil Science, 1973
- Solution Ion Activity and Plant GrowthSoil Science Society of America Journal, 1971
- EFFECT OF CHEMICAL ACTIVITY OF SOIL SOLUTION ALUMINUM ON COTTON ROOT PENETRATION OF ACID SUBSOILSSoil Science, 1966
- EFFECT OF INITIAL pH, PHOSPHATE, AND SILICATE ON THE DETERMINATION OF ALUMINUM WITH ALUMINONSoil Science, 1963