Title

Relative Toxicities of Inorganic Aluminum Complexes to Barley

Author Info

R. S. Cameron, University of Western Australia
G. S.P. Ritchie, University of Western AustraliaFollow
A. D. Robson, University of Western Australia

Recommended Citation

Published in Proceedings of the Soil Science Society of America, Volume 50, January 1, 1986, pages 1231-1236.

NOTE: At the time of publication, the author G.S.P. Ritchie was not yet affiliated with Cal Poly.

Abstract

The inorganic forms of Al in the soil solution that decrease plant growth in acid soils have not been clearly identified. Therefore, we examined the effects of Al and its complexes with F^- and SO₄^2- on the root elongation of barley (Hordeum vulgare) in nutrient solutions containing 3333 μmol Ca L^-1 and 6 μmol B L^-1 at pH 4.5. The anions were chosen because of their presence in the soil solution at levels sufficient to complex Al. The toxicity of 0 to 100 μmol Al L^-1 was studied in the presence of 0 to 10 /μmol F L ' or 0-3300 μmol SO₄² L^-1. The elongation of roots of barley seedlings was correlated with Al³⁺ concentrations but not with total soluble Al or Al complexed with F and SO₄^2-. This could be one of the reasons why measurements of labile Al using complexing agents have not always been successful at distinguishing between Al-toxic and nontoxic soils.

Disciplines

Food Science | Nutrition

Copyright

1986 R.S. Cameron, G.S.P. Ritchie, and A.D. Robson.