Abstract
Walnut tree seedlings exhibited greater phosphorus (P) uptake from32P-labelled hydroxyapatite when interplanted with alfalfa than with other walnuts, black locust, or orchard grass. Three mechanisms are proposed as possible explanations of this enhnaced P uptake by walnut. In this study, diffusion of solubilized apatite-P to the roots of walnut at points of walnut-alfalfa root intersection is believed to be the operative mechanism. Phosphorus is solubilized due to rhizosphere acidification of alfalfa during nitrogen fixation. These results underscore the interdependence of nutrient cycles. Enhancement of the phosphorus cycle through manipulation of the nitrogen cycle has important implications for world food and fiber production.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Aguilar S A and van Diest A 1981 Plant and Soil 61, 27–42.
Barber S A 1984 Soil Nutrient Bioavailability: A Mechanistic Approach. John Wiley and Sons, NY, 393 p.
Bekele T et al. 1983 Plant and Soil 75, 361–378.
Beusichem M L van 1982 Neth. J. Agric. Sci. 30, 85–97.
Binkley D 1986 Forest Nutrition Management. John Wiley and Sons, NY, 290 p.
Binkley D et al. 1984 For. Sci. 30, 26–35.
Blair G J et al. 1971 Agron. J. 63, 235–238.
Bledsoe C S and Zasoski R J 1983 Plant and Soil 71, 445–454.
Chiariello N et al. 1982 Science 217, 941–943.
Gillespie A R 1988 Altering fertilizer phosphorus recovery through rhizosphere acidification of black locust. PhD Dissertation, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 98 p.
Israel D W and Jackson W A 1978In Mineral Nutrition of Legumes in Tropical and Subtropical Soils. Eds. C S Andrew and E J Kamprath. pp 113–129. CSIRO, Melbourne.
Marschner H and Romheld V 1983 Z. Pflanzenphysiol. Bd. 111, 241–251.
Nyatsanga T and Pierre W H 1973 Agron. J. 65, 936–940.
Nye P H 1982In Roots, Nutrient and Water Influx, and Plant Growth. Ed. D M Kral. pp 89–100. Am. Soc. Agron., Madison, WI.
Riley D and Barber S A 1971 Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 35, 301–306.
Romheld V and Marschner H 1984 J. Plant Nutrition 7, 623–630.
Soon Y K and Miller M H 1977 Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 41, 77–80.
Ta T C and Faris M A 1987 Plant and Soil 98, 265–274.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gillespie, A.R., Pope, P.E. Alfalfa N2-fixation enhances the phosphorus uptake of walnut in interplantings. Plant Soil 113, 291–293 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02280196
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02280196