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Alternate Title

Effect of Mineral Deficiency on the Growth of the Salt Marsh Rush Juncus roemerianus

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Plants of the salt marsh rush Juncus roemerianus were grown in deficient and complete nutrient solutions, and the growth responses were compared qualitatively and quantitatively. Plants grown in solutions deficient in K, S, P, and Mg were similar in appearance, which exemplified severe growth retardation. Plants grown in solutions deficient in Ca, N, and Fe also were very similar in total growth response, but had much longer leaves, more shoots, and greater biomass than those grown in the K, S, P, and Mg deficient solutions. Plants grown in complete nutrient solutions, with various sources of Fe, were very robust. Growth was better with FeCl3 than with FeEDTA. The most robust growth occurred in plants grown in the nutrient medium deficient in micronutrients (B, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo), indicating that J. roemerianus is very sensitive to specific or certain combined micronutrients or concentrations generally recommended for terrestrial, especially agricultural, plants. The qualitative and quantitative symptoms, such as color, length, and abundance of leaves and roots as a response to deficiency of specific elements, were similar to those deficiency symptoms previously described for numerous terrestrial plants. However, a deficiency of certain nutrients such as S and Mg has a much greater effect on J. roemerianus than is generally shown for terrestrial plants.

First Page

35

Last Page

39

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