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The possibility of predicting solute uptake and plant growth response from independently measured soil and plant characteristics

I. The theoretical basis of the experiments

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Summary

A model of the way the rate of growth of a plant may be affected by the level of supply of a nutrient is presented. Growth rate is linked to the nutrient level of the photosynthetic tissues, which is assumed to control changes in the net assimilation rate, the leaf area per unit shoot weight, the shoot: root ratio, the root surface area, and the distribution of nutrient between root and shoot. The uptake of nutrient depends on the concentration of nutrient at the root surface, the root surface area and its absorbing power. All these relationships may be determined in stirred solution culture. A method of applying this information to soil grown plants is suggested.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Vegetable Research Station, Wellesbourne, Warwick

    J. L. Brewster

Authors
  1. P. H. Nye
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  2. J. L. Brewster
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  3. K. K. S. Bhat
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Soil Science Laboratory, Department of Agricultural Science, University of Oxford

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Nye, P.H., Brewster, J.L. & Bhat, K.K.S. The possibility of predicting solute uptake and plant growth response from independently measured soil and plant characteristics. Plant Soil 42, 161–170 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02186982

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02186982

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