Anion Effects on Plant Growth and Anion Composition

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted in the greenhouse to compare the effects of chloride, sulfate, and carbonate salts on the yield and chemical composition of corn and tomato plants. Rates of these anions went as high as 25.32‐pound‐equivalents per 2 million pounds of soil. In the first experiment the chloride series yielded less corn than the other series. A differential moisture regime also resulted in a significant difference in corn yield in favor of the more moist condition. A succeeding crop of tomatoes did not grow properly even though well fertilized with phosphorus. It is postulated that high acidity may be a contributing factor in causing an apparent phosphorus deficiency in tomato plants. In a second experiment with tomatoes the yield data showed highly significant anion source, phosphorus rate, lime rate, and anion × lime and anion × rate of anion effects. At the highest rate of chloride the yield was less than at the other rates. A highly significant yield increase was found for liming and phosphorus fertilization. Chemical composition of the plant material reflected the effect of rates of chloride on the percent chlorine in the plant and the rates of sulfate on the percent sulfur. A significant effect of increasing the rate of chloride or sulfate on the phosphorus content of the plants was found.

Effect of Chloride on Phosphorus Uptake by Corn Roots1

“…However, Carter3 found in other field experiments, using NH 4 Cl as the source of N, that up to 140 pounds of Cl per acre had no depressing effect on ear corn yields. Other pot experiments with corn using rates of Cl up to 900 pounds per acre (16) showed no effect on P uptake. Whether or not yield and P uptake are affected appears to depend on the P level in the soil.…”

Growth, Yield, and Composition of Onion, Barley, and Potato Plants as Affected by Phosphorus and Ammoniacal Nitrogen Fertilization1

“…Other investigators have reported that the absorption of P by plants may be affected materially through competition with Cl or so4 (10,18); however, this effect is not always clearly demonstrated (26). The available P in the soil may be so high that the amount of anion introduced as a component of the fertilizer salt is too small to affect P absorption.…”

“…Considerable effort has been expended to relate plant growth and yields to fertilization practices in California (20,23,26,27,29). However, the relationship between P uptake and possible anion competition has not received the same degree of attention.…”

The yield, growth and chemical composition of corn as influenced by hybrids and high rates of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers

“…Garter and Lathwell (1967) found no effect of CI on P uptake of corn seedlings. Seatz et al (1958) also found little effect of G1 on P content of corn. Pal et al (1963) on the other hand found that CI application increased the P content of tobacco leaves.…”

“…This situation could be remedied with limestone application. Seatz et al (1958) found that corn yields decreased with added G1 above 300 pounds CI per acre. Eaton (1942) found that increasing G1 rates decreased the growth of corn.…”