Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Effects of soil pH and aluminum on plant respiration

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Interactions among external (soil) pH, cellular pH, and their effects on respiratory metabolism are complex. While the effects of changes in the apoplastic pH on the cytosolic pH are not clearly understood, pH directly affects enzymatic reactions in the cell, and pH-regulated ion uptake has profound indirect effects on cellular respiratory metabolism. A major consequence of soil acidification is the release of aluminum in solubilized forms from its insoluble forms, which, in turn, adversely affects the uptake of cations, causes organic acid secretion, and inhibits cell division and growth in the roots. Consequently, the respiratory metabolism is redirected to meet the needs of organic acid efflux from the roots. The effects of changes in external pH on cellular pH and consequent effects of this change on respiratory metabolism, particularly through effects on soil aluminum are summarized.

Citation

Minocha, Rakesh; Minocha, Subhash C. 2005. Effects of soil pH and aluminum on plant respiration. In; Lambers, H.; Ribas-Carbo, M., eds. Plant respiration: from cell to ecosystem. Advances in photosynthesis and respiration, vol 18. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer: 159-176.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/13093