Effects of ammonium on elemental nutrition of red spruce and indicator plants grown in acid soil

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993 · Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00103629309368929· OSTI ID:6004103

Hoelldampf, B; Barker, A V ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA (United States)

Decline of high elevation red spruce forests in the northeastern United States has been related to acid rain, particularly with respect to the deposition of nitrogenous materials. Ca and Mg deficiencies may be induced by input of air-borne nitrogenous nutrients into the forest ecosystem. This research investigated the effects of N nutrition on mineral nutrition of red spruce and radish, as an indicator plant, grown in acid forest soil. Red spruce and radishes in the greenhouse were treated with complete nutrient solutions with 15 mM N supplied as 0, 3.75, 7.5, 11.25, or 15 mM NH[sub 4][sup +] with the remainder being supplied as NO[sub 3][sup [minus]]. Growth of each species was chlorotic and stunted by increase NH[sub 4][sup +] in the nutrient solution. Increasing NH[sub 4][sup +] from 0 to 15 mM depressed soil pH by about 1 unit (from 4.5 to an average of 3.5). Accumulation of N, K, Ca, and Mg by each species was restricted as the proportion of NH[sub 4][sup +] increased, although the magnitude of these restrictions were small. The restrictions in growth were attributed directly to NH[sub 4][sup +] toxicity and not to induction of nutrient deficiencies by NH[sub 4][sup +].

• OSTI ID: 6004103
• Journal Information: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis; (United States), Vol. 24:15-16; ISSN 0010-3624
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID RAIN
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
SOILS
PH VALUE
SPRUCES
PLANT GROWTH
AMMONIUM COMPLEXES
CALCIUM
FORESTS
MAGNESIUM
NITROGEN
NUTRIENTS
POTASSIUM
TOXICITY
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
COMPLEXES
CONIFERS
ELEMENTS
GROWTH
METALS
NONMETALS
PINOPHYTA
PLANTS
RAIN
TREES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
540220 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)