EFFECTS OF PHOSPHORUS AND LIME IN REDUCING ALUMINUM TOXICITY OF ACID SOILS

Abstract

Beets were grown in acid soil and in acid soils separately treated with lime, superphosphate, and Ca lactate. Determinations of Ca, Mg, P, nitrates, total N, total sugars, reducing sugars, and pH indicated the poor growth on acid soil was due to P deficiency. Preliminary drip culture solution expts. with barley indicated the P deficiency was caused by the presence of Al. Barley was grown with the roots divided and placed in separate culture solutions. Analyses for Al and P on each half of the root system and the tops for the various treatments used lead to the conclusion that the damage caused by Al was largely due to the precipitation of P by Al within the root tissues.