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Nutrient Utilization by Young Pitch Pine
Author(s) -
Voigt G. K.,
Richards B. N.,
Mannion E. C.
Publication year - 1964
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/sssaj1964.03615995002800050036x
Subject(s) - sorption , nutrient , dns root zone , soil water , volume (thermodynamics) , chemistry , root system , environmental science , soil science , botany , adsorption , biology , physics , quantum mechanics , organic chemistry
Ten pitch pines ( Pinus rigida Mill.) ranging in age from 5 to 9 years were excavated from an abandoned gravel pit in southern New Jersey. Lateral and vertical distribution of the root systems were recorded and total soil volume occupied by roots was calculated (root system sorption zone). In addition, the volume of soil within 1 cm. of any root surface was calculated (root surface sorption zone). Contents of total and exchangeable Ca and K in these zones were related to contents of Ca and K in the trees. Exchangeable Ca and K contents in the root system sorption zone were generally higher than the total content of these nutrients in the trees while the reverse was true for the relationship between the root surface sorption zone and the tree. Annual uptake of K by the trees was approximately equal to exchangeable K content of the root surface sorption zone. Annual uptake of Ca by trees was only about one‐third of the exchangeable Ca in the root surface sorption zone indicating that average distance of movement of Ca from soil to root surface was less than that for K. Less than 10% of the total soil volume occupied by roots was utilized in absorption of Ca and K.