Concentrations of nutrient elements in parts of siratro as affected by phosphorus supply and plant age
Title:
Concentrations of nutrient elements in parts of siratro as affected by phosphorus supply and plant age
Author:
Johansen, C.
Appeared in:
Communications in soil science and plant analysis
Paging:
Volume 7 (1976) nr. 6 pages 527-545
Year:
1976
Contents:
The distribution of some nutrient elements in various parts of Siratro plants of different age and phosphorus status was examined in order to assess which plant parts were best to sample for chemical analysis of nutrient status and to estimate the relative mobility of these elements within the shoot. With increasing physiological age of leaves, concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and potassium decreased, concentrations of calcium, aluminium, manganese and boron increased and concentrations of magnesium, iron, zinc and copper were little affected. Concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, calcium, aluminium, boron, zinc and copper in plant parts between the tip and the third youngest, expanded leaf changed little with plant age, suggesting that analysis of this portion of the shoot would be a suitable guide to the sufficiency, or otherwise, of these elements in Siratro plants. By contrast, potassium concentration in all plant parts was markedly depressed by increasing plant age, suggesting that a standardized sampling time would be necessary for interpretation of plant potassium status. Concentrations of magnesium, iron and manganese in all plant parts also decreased with plant age, but to a lesser extent than potassium. Concentrations of all elements, except nitrogen and phosphorus, decreased slightly with increasing phosphorus supply. This decrease could best be attributed to a dilution of these elements with increased plant growth, induced by phosphorus. The present results suggested that potassium, and possibly iron and magnesium, were redistributed in Siratro shoots with time whereas other elements were relatively immobile.
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