Aluminium Requirements of Solfatara-plants

Abstract

1. In this investigation the relation between solfatara-plants and aluminium, which is claimed to be toxic on most plants even in lower concentrations, has been studied in culture solution experiments.2. Miscanthus sinensis, a typical solfatara-plant, made the best growth in a nutrient solution which contained a considerably large amount of aluminium sulphate in a concentration of 0.05 per cent, i.e., approximately 40 p.p.m. of aluminium.3. Aluminium dissociated in the solution seems to be an essential element for the normal growth of this plant, whereas the H-ion concentration intensified by the addition of aluminium sulphate has an indirect effect.4. Other solfatara-plants such as Polygonum sachalinense and Hydrangea paniculata also grow better in the presence of aluminium, although the optimal growth occurs in less concentrations of aluminium.5. In short, all the solfatara-plants studied require quite a large amount of aluminium, which is found in large quantities in their habitat of volcanic districts.