Search Results
Abstract
Sixty-nine species of ornamental plants were screened for A1 tolerance in greenhouse pots of acid Tatum subsoil adjusted to different pH levels by liming. Species differed widely in tolerance to the unlimed soil at pH 4.1-4.4. For example, in one experiment the relative top yield on unlimed vs. limed soil (pH 4.3/pH 5.2) was 71% for Dolichos lablab L. (hyacinth bean); 63% for Tropaeolum majus L. (nasturtium); 62% for Cleome spinosa Jacq. (cleome); 59% for Calonyction aculeatum L. (moonflower); 18% for Tagetes erecta L. (marigold); 11% for Cosmos sulphureous Cav. (cosmos); 4% for Calendula officinalis L. (calendula); and 0.8% for Chrysanthemum coronarium L. (garland chrysanthemum). With the exception of cleome, the acid-soil-tolerant species were larger seeded than the sensitive species. Ornamental species also differed in tolerances to neutral-alkaline Tatum soil (pH 7.0-7.2). For example, relative top yields on high lime vs. low lime soil (pH 7.1/5.1) were 89% for marigold, 87% for cleome, 79% for calendula, 78% for hyacinth bean, 54% for nasturtium and 11% for garland chrysanthemum. Ornamental plants were classified according to suitability for strongly acid (pH 4.1-4.4), moderately acid (pH 5.1-5.4) or neutral to alkaline (pH 7.0-7.2) Tatum subsoil.
Abstract
Tomato cultivars developed in Brazil, Hawaii, and different parts of the continental United States differed significantly in their tolerance to an acid (pH 4.2), Al-toxic Bladen soil. Cultivars showing greatest tolerance included ‘BGH 588’ (Brazil), ‘Ace’ (Calif.) and Owyhee’ (Idaho); those showing low tolerance included ‘BGH 402’ (Brazil), Anahu’ (Hawaii), and Truckers Favorite’. Differential Al tolerances of ‘BGH 588’, ‘BGH 402’, and ‘Truckers Favorite’ were confirmed in nutrient solutions containing a range of Al concentrations. Tolerance to Al-toxic Bladen soil, measured by vegetative growth, was not associated with reported resistance to blossom end rot (Ca deficiency).
Cultivars showing the greatest tolerance to acid Bladen soil tended to contain lower concentrations of Al, Ca, and P in their tops than did the more sensitive cultivars. In nutrient solutions containing Al, the tops of Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive cultivars generally contained similar concentrations of Al, P, and Ca. Roots of tolerant cultivars tended to contain lower concentrations of Al and P and sometimes Ca.
Results suggest the possibility of developing tomato cultivars specifically for greater tolerance to acid soil environments which cannot be economically corrected. An example would be strongly acid Al-toxic soil zones beneath the plow layer.