Effects of ferulic acid, an allelopathic compound, on net P, K, and water uptake by cucumber seedlings in a split-root system.

Since distribution of allelopathic compounds in soils is highly variable, injurious effects by such compounds should be related to the frequency of contact with roots. Experiments were conducted to determine how P, K, and water uptake of cucumber seedlings were affected as the fraction of roots in contact with ferulic acid (FA) was increased. Seedlings were grown in Hoagland's nutrient solution for 14 days and then transferred to 0.5 mM CaSO4 solution for 24 hr before being placed into a split-root culture system. The containers in the system were filled with 0.5 mM concentrations of KH2PO4 and CaSO4 or 0.5 mM concentrations of KH2PO4, CaSO4, and ferulic acid (FA). Net uptake of P by seedlings (milligrams per seedling) decreased in a curvilinear (concave) manner as the fraction of the roots in contact with FA increased. Net uptake of K (milligrams per seedling) and water (milliliters per seedling) by seedlings decreased linearly as the fraction of the roots in contact with FA increased. Net uptake of P, K, and water by seedlings was reduced 57, 75, and 29%, respectively, when the whole root system was exposed to FA. Net P and K uptake of roots (milligrams per gram root fresh weight) not in contact with FA decreased in a linear and curvilinear (convex) manner, respectively, as the fraction of roots in contact with FA increased. Net P and K uptake of roots in contact with ferulic acid increased in a linear and curvilinear (convex) manner, respectively. Net water uptake of roots (milliliters per gram root fresh weight) not in contact with FA increased in a curvilinear (concave) manner as the frequency of the roots in contact with FA increased. Net water uptake of roots in contact with FA did not show a trend. Transpiration (milliliters per square centimeter) was reduced in a linear manner as the fraction of roots in contact with FA increased. A very slight compensation by roots not in contact with FA for roots in contact with FA was observed for net water uptake rates. No compensation for P and K uptake rates was observed.