Effect of aluminium on rooting and nutrient uptake of different tea plant in a year-round water culture

摘要

Aluminum (Al) is considered as a beneficial element of tea plants. The effect of Al on rooting, root growth and nutrient uptake (phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron and Al) was studied in water culture. There were three treatments with four replicates. A modified Konish's solution was used. The treatments included: A1pH4 (no Al with pH 4.0), A1pH4 (1.0 mM Al with pH 4.0), and A1pH6 (1.0 mM Al with pH 6.0). Two cultivars of one-year-old rooted cutting tea plants (TTES 12 and Chinshin Oolong) were transplanted every month in a whole year. The time of first appearance of new root was recorded. After three months of cultivation, the plant dry weight, the total length of stem growth, and nutrient uptake were determined. The results showed that there were differences in the time of the first growth of new roots of different planting time. The plants treated in August and September required less time for the emergence of the new roots, and that treated in January required the longest time. The effect of Al on rooting was not significant, however, Al enhanced the plant growth during the three months of cultivation. The medium pH did not affect the rate of rooting significantly. In summary, the effect of Al and medium reaction on the rooting was not significant in a short term growth period. However, there were significant differences in nutrient uptake which can be explained by the interaction between uptake of nutrients. It is also showed that small amount of Al was sufficient for the growth of tea plant.