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A Culturing Unit to Evaluate Sodic Influence on Calcium Nutrition of Alfalfa¹

ABSTRACT

A culturing unit was constructed whereby the influence of exchangeabe sodium on the growth and mineral uptake of established alfalfa (Medicago sativa) could be determined. Two compartments, separated by a membrane through which roots could penetrate, were placed one above another. The top compartment contained a calcareous nonsodic soil to which Ca⁴⁵CO₃ was added. The lower compartment contained complete nutrient solution.

Following the establishment of the plants in the nonsodic soil and complete nutrient solution, four levels of exchangeable Na percentage, 0.9, 14.9, 35.4, and 54.9, were established by adding solutions of Na₂CO₃ to the soil. The yield and Ca content of leaves was reduced by the sodic influence even though sufficient Ca was available to the plant through the nutrient solution. This decreased Ca uptake was compensated for by greater uptake of Mg.

¹ Approved by the Director, Utah Agr. Exp. Station, as Journal Paper no. 516. This work was supported in part by AEC Project no. 346.

² Graduate student, now with the Soil & Water Conservation Research Division, ARS, USDA, Fresno Field Station, Fresno, Calif., and Professor of Soils and Meteorology, Utah State University, Logan.

Received for publication October 28, 1965. Accepted for publication March 29, 1966.