Gypsum crystals on roots of nursery-grown pine seedlings

Abstract

Colorless, euhedral crystals were abundant on the roots of chlorotic pine seedlings from one nursery in Georgia and one in Alabama in 1998. Energy dispersive spectroscopy indicated these crystals were rich in calcium (Ca) and sulfur (S), and single crystal x-ray diffraction determined the crystals to be CaSO₄·2H₂0 (gypsum). These crystals had formed on the roots where water moved from the soil into the seedlings to be transpired. No records were found of gypsum crystals on the roots of living plants. Drought conditions appear to be necessary for these crystals to form in humid regions and no economic impact beyond that of the drought was indicated.

Acknowledgments