Pacific Southwest

Title: Nutrient status and plant growth effects of forest soils in the Basin of Mexico

Author: Fenn, Mark E.; Perea-Estrada, V.M.; Bauer, L.I. de; Pérez-Suárez, M.; Parker, D.R.; Cetina-Alcalá, V.M.

Date: 2006

Source: Environmental Pollution 140:187-199

Description: The nutrient status of forest soils in the Mexico City Air Basin was evaluated by observing plant growth responses to fertilization with N, P or both nutrients combined. P deficiency was the most frequent condition for soil from two high pollution sites and N deficiency was greatest at a low N deposition site. Concentrations of Pb and Ni, and to a lesser extent Zn and Co, were higher at the high pollution sites. However, positive plant growth responses to P and sometimes to N, and results of wheat root elongation bioassays, suggest that heavy metal concentrations were not directly phytotoxic. Further studies are needed to determine if heavy metal toxicity to mycorrhizal symbionts of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.) from high pollution sites may explain the P deficiency and stunted growth. P deficiency is expected to limit the capacity for biotic N retention in N saturated forested watersheds in the Basin of Mexico dominated by Andisols.

Keywords: Andisols, nitrogen deposition, phosphorus deficiency, nitrate leaching, Mexico City Air Basin

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Citation

Fenn, Mark E.; Perea-Estrada, V.M.; Bauer, L.I. de; Pérez-Suárez, M.; Parker, D.R.; Cetina-Alcalá, V.M.  2006.  Nutrient status and plant growth effects of forest soils in the Basin of Mexico.   Environmental Pollution 140:187-199.