Sulfate uptake by salinity-tolerant plant species

Mayland, H.F. and Robbins, C.W. (1994) Sulfate uptake by salinity-tolerant plant species. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 25(13&14):2523-2541.

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Abstract

High soluble-sulfate (SO4) concentrations affect water quality,
soil chemistry, plant sulfur (S) levels, and possibly ruminant-animal health. The
objective of this greenhouse pot study was to determine the potential for
accumulating high levels of S by tansy mustard (Descurainia pinnata (Walt.)
Britton), kochia (Kochia scoparia L. Schrad.), yellow sweet clover (Melilotus
officinalis L.), slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus (Link) Gould ex
Shinners), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Plants were grown on both a
Brinegar (fine-loamy Ultic Argixeroll) and Portneuf (coarse silty Durixerollic
Calciorthid) soil. Each species received five-SO4 levels. The saturation extract
electrical conductivity (EC) of the cropped soils ranged from 6 to 16 dS/m, while
the soluble SO4 varied from 16 to 200 mmolc/kg soil. Soil solutions were
saturated or very nearly saturated with respect to gypsum at the conclusion of each
study. Plant dry matter yield, except of grass growing on the non-calcareous soil,
was not reduced by SO4 treatment nor by the sulfate-induced decrease in mole
fraction of calcium (Ca)/(sum cations) to values less than 0.10 for kochia and
grass. Sulfur concentration in the plants ranged from 2.5 mg/g in grass to 10 mg/g
in mustard and for each species was linearly related to the SO4 treatment and
soil-SO4 activity. Plant SO4-S values ranged from 70 µg/g in the grass to nearly
900 µg/g in mustard. Total nitrogen (N):organic S was 4.4, 7.5, 11.4, 16.5, and
5.8 for mustard, kochia, clover, grass, and sunflower, respectively. It was
concluded that these species could accumulate high levels of S in the above ground
tissue.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	0848
Subjects:	Mass Import - unclassified
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:54
Last Modified:	28 Nov 2016 17:51
Item ID:	626
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/626