Abstract
SOME plants are known to remove phosphate readily from soils low in phosphate. It is likely that root excretions and microorganisms greatly modify the chemical environment in the rhizosphere and this may result in the more ready displacement of the adsorbed phosphate from soil colloids. Organic compounds found in the root exudates of several plants, reviewed by Rovira1, include many organic acids known to form strong complexes with metal ions. Examination of the root–soil interface under the electron microscope has also revealed a slimy gel between the root and the soil colloidal particles2,3, which has been called “mucigel” and is considered to consist of pectic substances, chiefly partially methylated polygalacturonic acids.
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References
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NAGARAJAH, S., POSNER, A. & QUIRK, J. Competitive Adsorption of Phosphate with Polygalacturonate and other Organic Anions on Kaolinite and Oxide Surfaces. Nature 228, 83–85 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1038/228083a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/228083a0
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