TOXICITY OF ALUMINUM ON SEEDLINGS AND ACTION OF CERTAIN IONS IN THE ELIMINATION OF THE TOXIC EFFECTS

Abstract

1. Organic aluminum compounds exert a distinct toxic effect on the plantsofcorn,soybeans,andbuckwheat. Thetoxicityincreaseswith increased concentration. 2. The toxicity for the three plants could be most effectively overcome bycalciumhydroxide. Calciumnitratecouldbeusedasanantagonistof aluminum, but not as effectively as the calcium base. 3. Potassium hydroxide was less effective in counteracting the toxicity ofaluminumthanwascalciumhydroxide. Itapparentlyservedtoneu- tralizetheacidity ofthealuminumsalt. 4. The favorable hydrogen ion concentration is not the same for all solu- tions. TheoptimumpHvarieswiththecomponentsandtheirproportions presentinthesolution. 5. Comparing the hydrogen ion concentration of the organic acids with similar hydrogen ion concentrations of the corresponding aluminum salts of these acids, it is shown that at appreciable concentrations the aluminum salt suppresses growth to a markedly greater extent than does the acid.