May 2016 Vol. 4 No.5

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Jobir K
Beyene S

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Original Research Article

Effect of Low Soil pH on Growth and Tissue Elemental status of MM.111, MM.106, and M.9 Rootstocks

Kebede Jobir^*, Masresha Fetene and Sheleme Beyene

Addis Ababa University College of Natural Science Department of Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management, Ethiopia

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: kbutajobir@yahoo.com
Tel.: 251911959258

Accepted February 03, 2016

Abstract

Acid soils are severe problems in Chencha high land areas of Southern Ethiopia. The coverage of acid soil of the country is estimated to be about 40% of the landmass and from this 15.6% is strongly acidic soil. Considering the adverse effects of low soil pH on soil elemental status and rootstocks growth the research was conducted to assess the effect of different levels of soil acidity on growth and tissue elemental status of selected apple rootstocks in Chencha. The naturally occurring acidic of the study area was 4.9; the pH was adjusted down to pH 3.5 (in H₂SO₄) and higher to pH 6.3 (in lime). The vegetatively propagated apple root stocks: MM.106, MM.111 and M.9 were grown in polythene bags considered as micro-plots in three blocks laid in a factorial design. Each block was treated with one pH level. The experiment was consisted of combinations of three pH levels (3.5, 4.9 and 6.3), three apple rootstocks MM.106, MM.111, and M9 in 5 replications (5 x 3 x 3 = 45). At the end of the study, data on vegetative growth and rootstocks organs (root, shoot, and leaves) nutrient accumulation were analyzed to assess their differences in response to soil acidity. The result showed that, effect of low soil pH on rootstocks growth and elemental status was significant. In soil pH of 3.5, MM.111 showed vigorous growth, least concentration of Al in roots and Mn in leaves and maximum amount of Ca, Mg, P & N considered as the most tolerant followed by M.9. Conversely, least growth and few amount of Ca, Mg, P, N while highest concentration of Al in the roots and Mn in leaves was recorded for MM.106 revealed a worse level of tolerance compared to other two rootstocks. Therefore, under original acidic soil of Chencha (pH 4.9) MM.111 was more productive and recommended for grafting with scion whereas with increasing level of soil pH by adding lime M.9 was recommended as the most productive rootstock for experimental site of Chencha, Ethiopia.

Key words: Chencha, micro plot, nutrient concentrations, rootstocks