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Rhizosphere alkalisation — a major driver of copper bioavailability over a broad pH range in an acidic, copper-contaminated soil

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Abstract

The impact of a large rhizosphere alkalisation on copper (Cu) bioavailability to durum wheat (Triticum turgidum durum L.) initially exposed to a broad range of bulk soil pH (4.8–7.5) was studied. Plants were exposed to a Cu-contaminated soil treated with eight levels of lime (Ca(OH)2) and supplied with NO3 − or NH4 +-NO3 −. Nitrate-fed plants strongly increased their rhizosphere pH to about 6.9–7.6, whatever the initial pH. NH4 +-NO3 −-fed plants slightly acidified their rhizosphere down to 3.9. Free Cu2+ concentration in the rhizosphere was 3 orders of magnitude larger for NH4 +-NO3 − than NO3 −fed plants. Consequently, Cu bioavailability was 2.4- to 4.2-fold larger for NH4 +−NO3 −-fed plants which demonstrates the importance of rhizosphere alkalisation to restrict metal bioavailability in acidic soils. Copper bioavailability of NO3 −-fed plants initially exposed to a broad range of bulk soil pH was insensitive to bulk soil pH, as rhizosphere pH was ultimately neutral in any case.

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Acknowledgements

Edith Le Cadre-Barthélémy is acknowledged for her advices for estimating soil pH buffering capacity. Nicole Balsera, Joëlle Toucet-Louri and Bruno Buatois are also thanked for technical support. Pierre Berthomieu is acknowledged for providing free access to F-AAS. Financial support was provided by the PNETOX programme of the French Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INRA, UMR 1222 Biogéochimie du Sol et de la Rhizosphère (INRA-SupAgro), Place Viala, 34060, Montpellier, France

    M. N. Bravin, A. L. Martí, M. Clairotte & P. Hinsinger

  2. Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n 46022, Valencia, Spain

    A. L. Martí

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  1. M. N. Bravin
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  2. A. L. Martí
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  3. M. Clairotte
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  4. P. Hinsinger
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Correspondence to P. Hinsinger.

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Responsible Editor: Robert Reid.

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Bravin, M.N., Martí, A.L., Clairotte, M. et al. Rhizosphere alkalisation — a major driver of copper bioavailability over a broad pH range in an acidic, copper-contaminated soil. Plant Soil 318, 257–268 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-008-9835-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-008-9835-6

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