Willow tree productivity on fertilizer solutions containing various Ca/Al ratios
1999
Fenn, L.B. | Gobran, G.R.
This research examined the remedial effect of Ca on H- and Al- depression of willow (Salix viminalis L. 78183) growth. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with willow cuttings for 3 and 30 days in two ammonium nutrient solutions, one at pH value of 5.0 and another at 3.8. Nutrient solutions at pH 5.0 were: no Ca additive (NS); 2.75 mol m(-3) Ca(H(2)PO(4))(2) (NSCaP); 2.75 mol m(-3) CaCl(2) (NSCaCl(2)). Nutrient solutions at pH 3.8 (NSA) were: no Ca additive (NSA), 2.75 mol m(-3) CaCl(2) (NSACaCl(2)), 2.75 mol m(-3) Ca(H(2)PO(4))(2) (NSACaP); 0, 0.26, 0.78, and 1.56 mol m(-3) of Al (A10, A11, A12, A13) were added to each NSA treatment. Tree growth was best with NSCaCl(2) over 3 days, but equal the other treatments at 30 days. Over 3 days, the NSACaCl(2) treatment (pH 3.8; A10) resulted in greater growth than occurred in NSA and NSACaP, but the responses of plant parts were different. Root growth (weight and length) in the presence of increasing Al was reduced in the NSA treatments but improved with the addition of CaCl(2) and Ca(H(2)PO(4)). Total tree growth for 30 days was lowest in NSA, but highest in NSACaCl(2)A10 and NSACaPA10. Calcium in either Cl or PO(4) form increased willow growth by partially reducing the depressive effects of H and Al, and increasing plant nutrient concentrations. Leaf weight, root length, and tissue dry weight, hydration, and several other parameters measured were significantly associated with solution calcium-aluminum balance (CAB) (CAB = Log Ca/Al, molar concentrations). The use of the term calcium-aluminum balance might be useful in predicting tree performance under acid conditions.
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