Effect Of Three Soil Components On Fern Growth
Abstract
Experiments were performed to determine the effect of various concentrations of calcium, phosphorous, and pH on sporophyte growth of Notholaena sinuata and Pellaea atropurpurea. Growth of both species was limited in media containing 400 and 1200 ppm calcium. Notholaena sinuata and Pellaea atropurpurea showed vigorous growth at 5.0 ppm phosphorous. Their growth differed at pH values of 5.0 and 6.5. Notholaena sinuata had greater frond production at the lower pH, while Pellaea atropurpurea showed greater frond production at the higher pH value. In cultures containing calcium, phosphorous and pH values similar to their native soils, growth was limited. The largest number of new fronds was produced in cultures containing a combination of low test values of calcium, phosphorous, and pH. A combination of higher values limited the production of new fronds. Pellaea atropurpurea exhibited an overall average of 63.86% new fronds compared to 26.47% for Notholaena sinuata when combining data from all experimental conditions. This suggests the greater ability of Pellaea atropurpurea to grow in a variety of soil conditions.
Description
Program year: 1977/1978Digitized from print original stored in HDR
Subject
Notholaena sinuataPellaea atropurpurea
sporophyte growth
calcium
phosphorous
pH
soil conditions
Citation
Nester, Joan E. (1978). Effect Of Three Soil Components On Fern Growth. University Undergraduate Fellow. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /CAPSTONE -SauterJ _1990.