Table I.
Effect of adaptation to low pHe on corn root growth
| Solution pHe | Root
Fresh Wt
|
Main Root Length at 33 d | Laterals at 33 d | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 d | 27 d | 33 d | |||
| g plant−1 | cm | no. plant−1 | |||
| 6.0 | 2.68 (±0.04) | 4.56 (±0.08) | 6.06 (±0.60) | 76.6 (±2.1) | 1271 (±108) |
| 3.5 | 2.54 (±0.12) | 4.60 (±0.16) | 6.04 (±0.40) | 71.8 (±3.3) | 1508 (±130) |
Main root length and the number of laterals were determined after 27 d of cultivation at different nutrient solution pH. In the low-pHe treatment nutrient solution pH was gradually reduced to 3.5 within the first 14 d of cultivation. The values represent means (± se) of six plants.