HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Stanford, G. Articles by DeMent, J. D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Stanford, G. Articles by DeMent, J. D. Agricola Articles by Stanford, G. Articles by DeMent, J. D.

A Method for Measuring Short-Term Nutrient Absorption by Plants: I. Phosphorus¹

ABSTRACT

A method has been devised which permits measurement of P absorption by plants during relatively short periods of root-soil contact. Plants are grown without added P in sand during which time a mat of roots develops at the bottom of the container. The exposed root mat with plants intact is then placed in contact with the soil or soil-fertilizer system. Results obtained using oats as the principal crop and concentrated superphosphate applied to Hartsells fine sandy loam support the following conclusions: (1) P uptake by oats from applied fertilizer increased linearly with time between 1 and 7 days and increased linearly with rates of applied P ranging from 0 to 50 mg. or more per 200 g. soil. (2) Moisture equivalent was approximately the optimum soil moisture level for P absorption. (3) Recovery of applied P commonly ranged from 2 to 5% after absorption periods of 3 to 7 days. The method holds considerable promise as a means of studying the influence of various factors on P absorption by plants. These include environmental factors as well as soil and fertilizer characteristics.

¹ Contribution from the Soils and Fertilizer Research Branch, Division of Agricultural Relations, Tennessee Valley Authority, Wilson Dam, Alabama. The assistance of G. L. Terman, C. M. Hunt, and L. B. Clements in statistical analyses, plant analyses, and greenhouse is gratefully acknowledged.

² Agronomists.

Received for publication May 15, 1957. Accepted for publication June 6, 1957.