Rehmus, A.; Bigalke, M.; Valerezo, C.; Mora Castillo, J.R. & Wilcke, W. (2014): <b>Aluminum toxicity to tropical montane forest tree seedlings in southern Ecuador: response of biomass and plant morphology to elevated Al concentrations</b>. <i>Plant and Soil</i> <b>382</b>(1-2), 301–315.
Resource Description
Title:
Aluminum toxicity to tropical montane forest tree seedlings in southern Ecuador: response of biomass and plant morphology to elevated Al concentrations
FOR816dw ID:
1273
Publication Date:
2014-06-06
License and Usage Rights:
PAK 823-825 data user agreement. (www.tropicalmountainforest.org/dataagreementp3.do)
email:
wolfgang.wilcke <at> kit.edu
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Institute of Geography and Geoecology
Reinhard-Baumeister-Platz 1
76131 Karlsruhe
Baden-Württemberg
Germany
Abstract:
Aims: In acid tropical forest soils (pH <5.5)increased mobility of aluminum might limit aboveground productivity. Therefore, we evaluated Al phytotoxicity of three native tree species of tropical montane<br/>
forests in southern Ecuador.<br/>
Methods: An hydroponic dose-response experiment was conducted. Seedlings of Cedrela odorata L., Heliocarpus americanus L., and Tabebuia chrysantha(Jacq.) G. Nicholson were treated with 0, 300, 600, 1200, and 2400 ?M Al and an organic layer leachate. Dose-response curves were generated for root and shoot morphologic properties to determine effective concentrations (EC).<br/>
Results: Shoot biomass and healthy leaf area decreased by 44 % to 83 % at 2400 ?M Al, root biomass did<br/>
not respond (C. odorata), declined by 51 % (H. americanus), or was stimulated at low Al concentrations<br/>
of 300 ?M (T. chrysantha). EC10 (i.e. reduction 10 %) values of Al for total biomass were 315 ?M<br/>
(C. odorata), 219 ?M (H. americanus), and 368 ?M (T. chrysantha). Helicarpus americanus, a fast growing<br/>
pioneer tree species, was most sensitive to Al toxicity. Negative effects were strongest if plants grew<br/>
in organic layer leachate, indicating limitation of plant growth by nutrient scarcity rather than Al toxicity.<br/>
Conclusions: Al toxicity occurred at Al concentrations<br/>
far above those in native organic layer leachate.
email:
wolfgang.wilcke <at> kit.edu
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Institute of Geography and Geoecology
Reinhard-Baumeister-Platz 1
76131 Karlsruhe
Baden-Württemberg
Germany
