Journal article

Publication year: 1989

Pages: 169-174

Journal: Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science

Volume number: 152

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 0044-3263

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.19891520206

Publisher: Wiley-VCH Verlag

Abstract: 

Nutrient availability in the soil is not only determined by chemical, physical, and micro‐biological factors but can be actively influenced by the plant root system. Various components of root activity have been studied in our laboratory during the last 10 years. The major findings are summarized and discussed with special emphasis on root morphology, cation‐anion imbalance and proton release, the mechanism of proton release and anion secretion. Large species differences in root morphology were found between red clover and rye‐grass. Root morphology was also found to be controlled by environmental and physiological factors. Experimental results obtained with different plant species suggest that proton release by plant roots is not primarily a consequence of excess cation uptake to achieve charge balance in the plant, but rather that active proton extrusion by ATPase activity creates a charge imbalance and a pH gradient which drive nutrient uptake. The pH gradient across the plasmalemma of root cells was also found to be essential for the retention of organic anions by plant roots.

Harvard Citation style: Schubert, S. and Mengel, K. (1989) Important factors in nutrient availability: Root morphology and physiology, Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science = Zeitschrift für Pflanzenernährung und Bodenkunde, 152(2), pp. 169-174. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.19891520206

APA Citation style: Schubert, S., & Mengel, K. (1989). Important factors in nutrient availability: Root morphology and physiology. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science = Zeitschrift für Pflanzenernährung und Bodenkunde. 152(2), 169-174. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.19891520206