Growth and physiological responses of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), white spruce (Picea glauca) and tamarack (Larix laricina) seedlings to root zone pH

Abstract

Background and aims Soil pH is among the major environmental factors affecting plant growth. Although the optimum range of soil pH for growth and the tolerance of pH extremes widely vary among plant species, the pH tolerance mechanisms in plants are still poorly understood. In this study, possible mechanisms were examined to explain the differences in tolerance of boreal plants to root zone pH.