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Importance of Carbon Dioxide in Uptake of Calcium by Plants Receiving Only a Nitrate Source of Nitrogen
Author(s) -
Bartlett R. J.
Publication year - 1965
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/sssaj1965.03615995002900050024x
Subject(s) - ammonium , nitrate , chemistry , carbon dioxide , nitrogen , calcium , aeration , calcium nitrate , suspension (topology) , environmental chemistry , nitrogen deficiency , agronomy , botany , biology , organic chemistry , mathematics , homotopy , pure mathematics
Calcium deficiency was induced in maize seedlings ( Zea mays L.) growing with roots in contact with limestone gravel or CaCO 3 in suspension. This was done by supplying N in the nitrate form and by extreme aeration to prevent CO 2 accumulation. The probable cause of the deficiency was the tendency of nitrate nutrition to maintain the pH of the alkaline medium, preventing solubilization of CaCO 3 . When CO 2 was allowed to build up in the suspension or limestone gravel culture, pH was lowered during growth, Ca became more soluble and deficiency of Ca in plants receiving nitrate nitrogen was corrected. Substitution of ammonium for nitrate in CaCO 3 suspension similarly corrected Ca deficiency. This resulted as ammonium uptake lowered pH and solubilized Ca. Though unappreciated in this role because of their universal presence in the soil, both CO 2 and ammonium N may be important in increasing the availability of Ca.