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The role of bacteria in pH increase of nettle water

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Abstract

The investigation was designed to elucidate and explain the pH increase observed when a water extract of stinging nettle,Urtica dioica, was supplied to plants grown in sand or peat culture. The pH, bacterial number, organic acid content, and NH +4 and NO −3 content were determined in aerated nettle water, sterilised (UV-treated) nettle water and nutrient solution at intervals during 48 h. The pH increase was closely linked to increase in aerobic bacteria and the simultaneous decrease in organic acids and NH +4 concentration in the media. Consequently, the pH rise in nettle water is due to consumption of organic acids by bacteria and the accompanying shift of the acid-base equilibrium towards a more basic state.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Physiology, University of Lund, P.O. Box 7007, S-220 07, Lund, Sweden

    R. Peterson & P. Jensén

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  1. R. Peterson
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  2. P. Jensén
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Peterson, R., Jensén, P. The role of bacteria in pH increase of nettle water. Plant Soil 113, 137–140 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02181933

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02181933

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