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Rhizosphere effects on ion concentrations near different root zones of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and root types of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii L.) seedlings

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Abstract

Micro-suction cups were installed in split-root rhizotrons to investigate changes of ion concentrations pertaining to different root zones (Norway spruce) or various root types (Douglas-fir). Plant seedlings were grown in mineral soils fertilised with a mix of KMgCa or unfertilised. In Norway spruce, ions accumulated mostly in the rhizosphere near root tips in fertilised soil. Cations (Fe3+/Mn2+, Na+) and anions (Cl-, SO4 2-) were depleted in basal root areas in unfertilised soil. In Douglas-fir, ion accumulations (except K in unfertilised soil) occurred in rhizosphere of current-year suberized roots in both fertilised and unfertilised soils. Ion concentrations in rhizosphere of one-year-old suberized roots were highest compared to those of newly-grown or current-year roots in fertilised soil. These data demonstrate that soil solution chemistry clearly differs in rhizosphere of different segments of single roots and various root types. Ion accumulation in rhizosphere may be due to high mass flow transport of ions to root surfaces, and the accumulation of ions in rhizosphere was more distinct for root tips.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (project Nr. GE 920/2-1 and MA 1089/5-1) for financial support. We are grateful to Birgit Brunner and Roland Blasek in BITÖK (Bayreuther Institut fuer Terrestrische Oekosystemforschung, Bayreuth, Germany) for analysing the soil solution samples. We also thank the anonymous reviewers whose helpful suggestions have greatly improved the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, Peoples Republic of China

    Jun-ling Zhang

  2. Institute of Plant Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany

    Jun-ling Zhang

  3. Plant Nutrition, Institute of Crop Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany

    Eckhard George

  4. Leibniz-Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Theodor-Echtermeyer-Weg, 14979, Grossbeeren, Germany

    Eckhard George

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  1. Jun-ling Zhang
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Correspondence to Jun-ling Zhang.

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Zhang, Jl., George, E. Rhizosphere effects on ion concentrations near different root zones of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and root types of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii L.) seedlings. Plant Soil 322, 209–218 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-009-9909-0

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