AbstractsBiology & Animal Science

Effects of acidity on growth, structure and physiology of plants with special reference to root cells.

by William Harold. Minshall




Institution: McGill University
Department: Department of Botany.
Degree: PhD
Year: 1941
Keywords: Plant morphology.; Roots (Botany); Growth (Plants)
Record ID: 1556290
Full text PDF: http://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/thesisfile129889.pdf


Abstract

In the past 25 years considerable controversy has taken place over the effect of Hydrogen-ion concentration on plant growth. In 1931 Hoagland (37) expressed the following: "I recall some early experiments with, barley seedlings in California. With considerable surprise it was noted that the plants made better development in a definitely acid solution than in a slightly alkaline one. The impression gained from the literature of that time was to the • effect that most agricultural plants round their most favourable environment in a slightly alkaline medium and were injured by acidity". Following the discrediting by various investigators of this early ·belief of the harmful effects of acidity there was a tendency to treat the Hydrogen-ion concentration of the soils as the prime factor controlling the growth and distribution of plants. [...]