Accumulation and distribution of calcium and magnesium in oat and correlation analysis with the uptake of sodium, potassium, and chloride elements

ABSTRACT

Calcium and magnesium are related to the structure and functions of soil, especially the saline alkali soil. This study aimed to explore calcium element and magnesium element concentration and accumulation in relation to salt ion uptake and soil quality. The two elements in plant organs were studied for six oat varieties at four growth stages. The results showed that calcium element concentration and accumulation across plant organs ranged from 3.4 to 12.1 g kg⁻¹ and 2.6 to 6.3 kg ha⁻¹ while those for magnesium element ranged from 1.7 to 5.3 and 1.5 to 3.3. Among varieties, the concentrations and accumulations varied significantly. Significant variations also occurred among the four growth stages with a peak at delayed harvest stage. However, the highest accumulation occurred at maturity. The ratio [calcium element/magnesium element] increased from elongation (heading stage) (1.2 to 1.9 times) to delayed harvest stage (2.9 to 3.2 times). A significant (partial) positive correlation was found among concentrations of calcium, magnesium, chlorine, potassium elements and sodium. The prospect of using oat treated with calcium and magnesium fertilizer to reduce soil alkalinity should be studied further.

KEYWORDS:

• Saline soil
• partitioning
• salt elements
• synergism
• phytoremediation

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Prof. Chang Z. Ren, Mr. Lai C. Guo and Mr. Xin Z. Zhang for providing the oat seeds. We also acknowledge the assistance of Mr. Jin P. Qi in field data collection. This research was sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China No.41501354, the Project of Science and Technology Service Network Initiative of CAS No. KFJ-STS-ZDTP-001-02, and the Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS No.2018132.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [No. 41501354]; National Key Research and Development Program of China [No. 2016YFC0501308]; Project of Science and Technology Service Network Initiative of CAS [No. KFJ-STS-ZDTP-001-02]; Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS [No. 2018132].