EFFECTS OF ALUMINUM ON NUTRIENT COMPOSITION AND YIELD OF OATS

Spotty chlorosis appeared on the young leaves of A1 toxic plants and was sevare on high A1 level. Stems of the Al-treated plants were purple while the roots were short, thick and brown in colour with little branching. The dry matter yield of tops and roots decreased with increased A1 level. The concentration of P was greater in roots of A1 toxic plants than in the control plants but a converse affect was recorded in tops. Increased rates of A1 caused a decrease in the concrations of P, K, Ca, Mg and Kn in plant tops, while A1 concentration increased both in tops and roots. Iron content in tops affected with increased A1 and in root a regular increase was observed. The results indicate that A1 toxicity depressed the growth of oats, resulted in abnormal root development with tittle branching and affecting the utilization of several essential plant nutrients by oat plant. © 1979, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.