Title
Alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., establishment in mine mill tailings - H. Root patterns of alfalfa in iron tailings and natural soils
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-1983
Abstract
Alfalfa plant excavations were made in iron tailings and natural soil as a means to observe their root development between two contrasting substrates. In tailings, alfalfa roots concentrated heavily in strata of clay layers. In coarse-textured tailings without clay layers, roots concentrated more at the surface with few roots penetrating deep into the tailings. Similar root morphology was observed in natural soil excavations. Roots And N-fixing nodules were concentrated in fine-textured soil layers having better moisture-holding capaclity and mineral nutrient status than the coarser materials. Regardless of the kind of growing medium, tailings vs natural soils, roots concentrated where the growing environment is most favourable. © 1983 Martinus Nijhoff/Dr W. Junk Publishers.
Publication Title
Plant and Soil
Recommended Citation
Shetron, S.,
&
Spindler, J.
(1983).
Alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., establishment in mine mill tailings - H. Root patterns of alfalfa in iron tailings and natural soils.
Plant and Soil,
73(2), 239-246.
http://doi.org/10.1007/BF02197719
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/4345