Factors toxic to beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seedlings in acid soils

• Published in: Plant and soil 1993-11, Vol.157 (1), p.19-29
• Main Authors: LJUNGSTRÖM, MARTIN, STJERNQUIST, INGRID
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acid soils; Agricultural soils; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Clay soils; Deficiencies. Phytotoxicity of elements. Salinity; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on plants and fungi; Fagus sylvatica; Flood damage; Forest soils; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Seedlings; Soil pollution; Soil solution; Soil toxicity; Soil water; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02390223

The effects of highly and moderately acid soils on total biomass, biomass partitioning, fine root characteristics and nutritional status of beech seedlings (Fagus sylvatica L.) were studied in a growth chamber experiment. In Haplic Arenosols seedlings grew slowly but equally well without damage symptoms in a highly acid and a moderately acid soil horizon. The moderately acid Ah + Bw-horizon of a Eutric Cambisol was favourable to seedling growth. The fine root development was reduced in the highly acid A + Bw-horizon of a Dystric Cambisol and in the Ah + E-horizon of a Haplic Podzol, the latter of which also caused increased mortality. Seedling growth in the B₂-horizon of the Haplic Podzol was vigorous, in spite of a higher level of extractable Al and lower base saturation as compared with the Ah + E-horizon. These results are interpreted in relation to soil acidity, soil Al and nutritional status of the seedlings. We conclude that neither Al-toxicity nor nutrient deficiency cause the damage symptoms observed in the Ah + E-horizon of a Haplic Podzol and the fine root reduction in the A + Bw-horizon of a Dystric Cambisol. The damage symptoms of the PZhA treatment seems to be more the result of H-toxicity or H-related factors other than nutrient shortage or Al-toxicity. Other pH-related toxic factors are discussed.