Effects of pH and Mineral Nutrition on Growth and Physiological Responses of Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides), Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana), and White Spruce (Picea glauca) Seedlings in Sand Culture

Abstract

Responses of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), jack pine (Pinus banksiana), and white spruce (Picea glauca) seedlings to root zone pH ranging from 5 to 9 were studied in sand culture in the presence of two mineral nutrition levels. After eight weeks of treatments, effects of pH on plant dry weights varied between the plant species and were relatively minor in white spruce. Higher nutrient supply significantly increased dry weights only in trembling aspen subjected to pH 5 treatment. There was little effect of pH and nutrition level on net photosynthesis and transpiration rates in white spruce and jack pine, but net photosynthesis markedly declined in aspen at high pH. Chlorophyll concentrations in young foliage decreased the most in trembling aspen and jack pine. The effects of high pH treatments on the concentrations of Mg, P, Ca, Mn, Zn, and Fe in young foliage varied between the plant species with no significant decreases of Fe and Zn recorded in trembling aspen and white spruce, respectively. This was in contrast to earlier reports from the studies carried out in hydroponic culture. The sand culture system that we developed could be a more suitable alternative to hydroponics to study plant responses to pH in the root zone. Plant responses to high pH appear to involve complex events with a likely contribution of nutritional effects and altered water transport processes.

Determining Eastern Red Cedar Biochar Soilless Media Supplementation Rates for Potted Ornamental Kale and Chrysanthemum Production

“…In this study, as the biochar ratio increased from 25% to 75%, the pH of media increased, which might have caused a decrease in the total dry weight of the plant because of the decreased nutrient uptake (Graber et al 2010). A high pH restricts nutrient uptake by elevating the root apoplastic pH and disturbing the pH gradient between membranes, thus causing a reduction in the nutrient levels of NO 3 , P, and Mg (Xu et al 2020). In addition to a high pH, there are various factors that influence plant growth and development.…”

Morphological Characterization of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with the Rhizosphere According to the Age of <i>Xanthosoma sagittifolium</i> L. Schott Plants in the Field

“…in the soils of these different sites. [25], have also shown that soil pH and hydromineral nutrition significantly influence growth in poplar (Populus tremuloides), jack pine (Pinus banksiana), and white spruce (Picea glauca) seeds grown on sand. According to [26], the nature and properties of the soil play a critical role in plant growth.…”

Combined effects of alkaline pH and high Ca concentration on root morphology, cell-wall polysaccharide concentrations and blueberry plant performance

“…However, the implications of the described responses of the roots for the long-term response of the whole plant should be investigated further. Furthermore, the overall findings from nutrient solution experiment have to be drawn with care to the limitation of such system and in relation to findings from sand and soil systems (Xu et al, 2020). The slightly alkaline pH treatment caused also to deficiency of Mn in the leaves.…”