Phosphorus uptake in simulated soil‐root experimental systems

Abstract

Simulated soil‐root experimental systems were used to investigate the effect of proton excretion on P uptake from simulated soils. The simulated soils consisted of a mixture of agar and suspensions of a Ca‐montmorillonite clay and CaCO₃ that had been previously reacted with P solutions for short (l/2h) medium (2d) and long (30d) periods. P uptake decreased with an increase in reaction time. It was inversely proportional to the pH of the excreted solution and to the CaCO₃ content of the simulated soil. Inducing a flux of water toward the simulated root reduced P uptake.