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Zonal Salinization of the Root System with NaCl and Boron in Relation to Growth and Water Uptake of Corn Plants¹

ABSTRACT

Corn seed (Zea mays L.) was germinated in the top portion of a soil column separated by thin amber wax layers into three equal horizons. Each soil unit contained 500 g of soil aggregates, a tensiometer, and tubing to facilitate irrigation and drainage. Differential treatments of NaCl and B were separately imposed for 3 to 4 weeks upon the various root zones once the plant had extended roots throughout all horizons. Each horizon was irrigated with a dilute nutrient solution with and without NaCl to have an EC of 12 mmho/cm for the NaCl treatments; and with H₃BO₃ to have concentrations of 10-, 20-, and 40-mg B/liter for the B treatments.

Results include data on plant growth, water use, and ion uptake. The NaCl treatments were associated with reductions in root growth and water use/plant in proportion to percent root system treated. However, little or no reduction in shoot weights occurred upon zonal salinization of two-thirds of the root system. Also, the NaCl treatments did not restrict uptake of NPK to any serious extent. The B experiments showed corn plants to be injured by soil solution levels of 20 mg B/liter or greater, the degree of injury being a function of soil solution B and percent root system under treatment.

¹ Contribution from the Dep. of Soils and Plant Nutrition, Univ. of Calif. Citrus Research Center and Agr. Exp. Sta., Riverside. Presented before Div. S-6, Soil Science Society of America Meetings, Nov. 8, 1967, Washington, D. C. Financial assistance from the Dry-Lands Research Institute is gratefully acknowledged.

² Professor of Soil Science and Professor of Biometry, respectively.

Received for publication July 11, 1969. Accepted for publication September 2, 1969.