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Aluminum in Plants

January 11, 2021 by hsotr

Aluminum in Plants
Aluminum toxicity in corn; note how the two center rows appear pale and stunted relative to the row on the right. Photo courtesy of USDA ARS.

Most people probably don’t think of aluminum as a key nutrient for field, garden, or orchard crops, and indeed scientists don’t consider it essential for plant growth. Nevertheless, it appears to have an important role in keeping pathogens in check. In particular, we know that aluminum helps prevent late blight in potatoes, and it appears to serve a similar role in avoiding root rot in other plants.

Besides keeping plants from getting diseases, aluminum may even promote positive root growth in some species, particularly soybeans, turnips, and Douglas firs.

Natural Sources

Aluminum is very common in soil. It can be toxic to plants, so amending aluminum levels is not advisable, even to lower soil pH for blueberries or hydrangeas. Natural ways to lower pH for these acid-loving plants would include peat moss and coffee grounds.

Deficiency

Because aluminum is so common, a deficiency is highly unlikely.

Toxicity

Aluminum toxicity can occur when aluminum sulfate is added to the soil to lower the pH. This is dangerous for both the plants and for the humans who consume them.

But even where aluminum sulfate was not used, signs of toxicity can still be found in plants grown on acidic soils (usually with a pH below 5.0), as low pH makes this mineral more readily absorbed.

Symptoms of aluminum toxicity in plants include:

  • Failure to thrive.
  • Increased susceptibility to drought.
  • Stunted growth.
  • Pale color.
  • Stunted, brittle roots.
  • Symptoms of calcium deficiency.

If you have determined that your plants are receiving excess aluminum, the first thing to do is to raise the pH, preferably to at least 5.5, so that your plants will stop absorbing so much. In most cases, this will be sufficient to correct the problem.

However, if you still have too much aluminum built up in the soil, perhaps from previous pH adjustments, consider growing tea or buckwheat as a cover crop for a few years. These species will help pull the excess aluminum out of the soil.

Complete Series

Minerals in Plants

Minerals in Plants

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Filed Under: The Farm Tagged With: Cover Crops, Field Crops, Fruit, Nutrition, Ornamental Plants, Plant Health, Soil, Vegetables

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About hsotr

Motivated by her experience growing up on a small farm near Wichita, Kansas, Michelle Lindsey started Homestead on the Range to supply Kansas country living enthusiasts with the innovative resources that they need to succeed and has now been keeping families informed and inspired for over five years. Michelle is the author of three country living books. She is also a serious student of history, specializing in Kansas, agriculture, and the American West. When not pursuing hobbies ranging from music to cooking to birdwatching, she can usually be found researching, writing, or living out the country dream.

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