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Root Growth and Diffusion Rates as Functions of Oxygen Concentration
Author(s) -
Stolzy L. H.,
Letey J.,
Szuszkiewicz T. E.,
Lunt O. R.
Publication year - 1961
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1961.03615995002500060014x
Subject(s) - diffusion , oxygen , growth rate , limiting oxygen concentration , chemistry , plant growth , horticulture , mathematics , biology , thermodynamics , physics , geometry , organic chemistry
This paper deals with two aspects of soil‐oxygen‐plant relationships: (1) the effect of O 2 concentration on O 2 diffusion rates, and (2) the O 2 diffusion rate in relation to root growth of established plants. The study was designed to minimize the effects of CO 2 on root growth during the experiment while studying the effects of oxygen supply and root growth. An average O 2 concentration of 0.7% above the soil surface virtually stopped root growth while only a few new roots were initiated at the 2% level. Depth of rooting and the O 2 diffusion rate associated with this depth were proportional to the concentration of O 2 at the soil surface. Root initiation was reduced or stopped when oxygen diffusion rates in the soil were in the range of 18 to 23 × 10 ‐8 g. cm. ‐2 min. ‐1 . Diffusion rates above 23 × 10 ‐8 g. cm. ‐2 min. ‐1 permitted relatively good root growth.