LACK OF SOYBEAN ROOT ELONGATION RESPONSES TO MICROMOLAR MAGNESIUM ADDITIONS AND FATE OF ROOT-EXUDED CITRATE IN ACID SUBSOILS

Abstract

Additions of micromolar concentrations of magnesium (Mg) to hydroponics enhance aluminum (Al) tolerance of soybean by increasing citrate secretion from roots and external complexation of toxic Al species. The objective of this study was to assess the ameliorative effect of Mg additions on soybean root elongation into mineralogically different acid soils. Roots of soybean seedlings grew for 28 days into acid soils treated with three Mg levels in their soil solution (Control, 150 and 300 μM) and lime. Root growth in the acid soils and aboveground dry matter responses to the Mg treatments were less than for the lime treatments. Citrate fate in the acid soils revealed that 66–99% of added citrate was either adsorbed or biodegraded, suggesting that root secreting citrate in the soil abundant with Al and iron (Fe) hydroxides potentially reduces the availability to complex rhizotoxic Al. A calcium (Ca) deficiency may have constrained root growth response to the Mg-treated soils.