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Aluminium causes nutrient imbalance and structural changes in the needles of Scots pine without inducing clear root injuries

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Abstract

The effects of aluminium chloride (AICI3) treatments (50 and 150 mg/l) on 3-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings were studied in a sand culture during 2 growing periods in an open field experiment. Even by the end of the first growing period, a decline was observed in the concentrations of Ca, Mg and P within the needles, and of Ca and Mg in the roots. After the second growing period, increased N and K concentrations were observed in the needles of Al-treated seedlings. Both the needles and roots of Al-treated seedlings showed, after the second growing period, a decline in growth and increased concentrations of AI as the amount of AICI3 in the nutrient solution increased. Al-induced changes in needle structure were found to be symptomatic of a nutrient imbalance, particularly of Mg and P. Al-stress did not result in any observable changes in root anatomy or in the number of mycorrhizas. Scots pine proved to be rather resistant to Al-stress, indicating that direct Al-injuries are not likely in the field, though Al-stress may be a contributing factor in the formation of nutrient imbalances.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecological Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Kuopio, P.O.Box 1627, FIN-70211, Kuopio, Finland

    Sari Janhunen, Virpi Palomäki & Toini Holopainen

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  1. Sari Janhunen
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  2. Virpi Palomäki
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  3. Toini Holopainen
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Janhunen, S., Palomäki, V. & Holopainen, T. Aluminium causes nutrient imbalance and structural changes in the needles of Scots pine without inducing clear root injuries. Trees 9, 134–142 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02418202

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02418202

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