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Clay‐Suspension Root‐Coating as Antidesiccants and Rhizospheric Nutrient Sources
Author(s) -
Tabor C. A.,
Davey C. B.
Publication year - 1966
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/sssaj1966.03615995003000040033x
Subject(s) - montmorillonite , clay minerals , seedling , nutrient , suspension (topology) , chemistry , moisture , clay soil , cation exchange capacity , agronomy , horticulture , botany , environmental science , soil water , mineralogy , biology , soil science , mathematics , organic chemistry , homotopy , pure mathematics
Suspensions of kaolinitic and montmorillonitic clays were applied to roots of loblolly pine seedlings ( Pinus taeda L.). Survival and growth effects of these clay‐suspension, root‐coatings were evaluated in a series of greenhouse experiments. Preplanting exposures to adverse atmospheric conditions of clay‐treated seedlings showed positive effects of the clays as antidesiccants. Clay coatings did not appreciably influence early growth under conditions of either high or low soil moisture stress. Seedlings from three known mother trees were grown in subirrigated sand cultures using Ca 2+ ‐, Mg 2+ ‐, K + ‐, and Na + ‐saturated clays as sources of the specific cation of each treatment. Seedling responses varied according to the clay used, the cation charge, the physiological role of the cation, and the genetic source of the seed. The higher cation exchange capacity (CEC) clay, montmorillonite, appeared to have a potential use as a rhizospheric nutrient source.