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Soil Phosphorus and pH Influence the Growth of Mycorrhizal Sweetgum
Author(s) -
Yawney William J.,
Schultz Richard C.,
Kormanik Paul P.
Publication year - 1982
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/sssaj1982.03615995004600060038x
Subject(s) - liquidambar styraciflua , seedling , phosphorus , nutrient , chemistry , soil ph , mycorrhiza , inoculation , oxisol , agronomy , horticulture , soil water , botany , biology , symbiosis , ecology , bacteria , genetics , organic chemistry
The response of sweetgum ( Liquidambar styraciflua L.) seedlings grown either without or inoculated with the vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus Gigaspora margarita ‘Becker’ and ‘Hall’ to 25, 50, and 100 ppm soil phosphorus (P) and adjusted soil pHs of 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, and 7.8 was observed during the first growing season. The best seedling growth for both VAM and noninoculated seedlings occurred at soil pH 4.5 and 100 ppm of soil P where mean heights and top dry weights averaged > 28 cm and 8 g, respectively. As soil pH increased, seedling growth decreased significantly and at pH 7.8 the seedlings averaged < 4 cm in height regardless of the soil P level or mycorrhizal condition. Seedling growth at all pH levels, except pH 7.8, decreased with decreasing soil P. Inoculated seedlings were significantly larger than noninoculated seedlings at 25 ppm soil P and pHs 4.5 and 5.5. Soil P, soil pH, and mycorrhizal condition significantly influenced nutrient levels in plant parts. Soil nutrient levels varied significantly with soil pH.