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19199 
Journal Article 
Response of red spruce and balsam fir seedlings to aluminum toxicity in nutrient solutions 
Schier, GA 
1985 
Yes 
Canadian Journal of Forest Research
ISSN: 0045-5067
EISSN: 1208-6037 
HEEP/85/08389 
15 
1 
29-33 
English 
WOS:A1985AED4100007 
HEEP COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. Red spruce (P. rubens Sarg.) and balsam fir (A. balsamea (L.) Mill.) were grown in nutrient solutions containing 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg Al at pH 3.8. Seedlings died only when placed directly in solutions containing Al without first being conditioned to growth in a hydroponic system. In preconditioned seedlings, no evidence of Al injury was noted in the tops of seedlings at any level of Al, except for small reductions in shoot growth. Al toxicity symptoms in roots, however, were well developed, though spruce showed less tolerance than fir. Inhibition of root growth in both species was first evident at 50 mg/l Al, root lengths decreasing with increasing concentrations of Al. Spruce seedlings at Al concentrations of 100 mg/l and higher were characterized by thickened, stunted, dark brown roots. Root deterioration was caused by Al-induced destruction of epidermal and cortical cells. Although root elongation was severely restricted in spruce and fir, root dry weight was not significantly reduced. Al decreased seedling uptake of most mineral elements; Mn, Mg and Zn were affected most and B P least. 
Picea rubens; Abies balsamea; aluminum; toxicity; nutrients; trees