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Carbon Dioxide from Plant Roots as a Factor in the Replacement of Adsorbed Sodium in Calcareous Soils¹

ABSTRACT

The effects of CO₂ from plant roots in facilitating the dissolution of CaCO₃ and the reclamation of sodic soils was studied by comparing the HCO₃^- concentrations of leachates and the less of adsorbed Na from pots of cropped and uncropped soils receiving uniform leaching with salt-free water. It was found that the effect of CO₂ on the replacement of adsorbed Na was measureable but small, and of less importance than the effect brought about by the hydrolysis of CaCO₃ upon leaching. Data were obtained which indicate that alfalfa roots release more CO₂ than Rhodesgrass roots, and that more of the CO₂ is retained in the soil at high moisture levels than at low moisture levels.

¹ Contribution from the U. S. Salinity Laboratory, Soil and Water Conservation Research Division, A.R.S., U.S.D.A., Riverside, California, in cooperation with the 17 Western States and the Territory of Hawaii.

² Chemist and Soil Scientist, respectively.

Received for publication June 14, 1957. Accepted for publication August 6, 1957.