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Clay-Suspension Root-Coating as Antidesiccants and Rhizospheric Nutrient Sources¹

ABSTRACT

Suspensions of kaolinitic and montmorillonitic clays were applied to roots of loblolly pine seedlings (Pinus taeda L.). Survival and growth effects of these clay-suspension, root-coatings were evaluated in a series of greenhouse experiments. Preplanting exposures to adverse atmospheric conditions of clay-treated seedlings showed positive effects of the clays as antidesiccants. Clay coatings did not appreciably influence early growth under conditions of either high or low soil moisture stress. Seedlings from three known mother trees were grown in subirrigated sand cultures using Ca²⁺-, Mg²⁺-, K⁺-, and Na⁺-saturated clays as sources of the specific cation of each treatment. Seedling responses varied according to the clay used, the cation charge, the physiological role of the cation, and the genetic source of the seed. The higher cation exchange capacity (CEC) clay, montmorillonite, appeared to have a potential use as a rhizospheric nutrient source.

¹ Contribution from the Departments of Soil Science and Forest Management, North Carolina Agr. Exp. Sta., Raleigh. Presented before Div. S-7, Soil Sci. Soc. America, Nov. 19, 1964, Kansas City, Mo. Submitted with the approval of the Director as paper no. 2097 of the Journal Series.

² Former Research Assistant and Professor, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, respectively.

Received for publication December 6, 1965. Accepted for publication April 12, 1966.