Effect of soil pH on mycorrhizae development in Pinus patula Schlecht et Cham. in South Africa

Abstract

The effect of soil pH on mycorrhizae development and the resultant effect on Pinus patula Schlecht et Cham. seedlings was investigated. The values used for the evaluation were pH 4,8 pH 6,3 and pH 7,1. Ca(OH)₂ was added to natural forest soil (pH 4,8) to adjust the pH to 6,3 and 7,1. To determine the effect of calcium in the soil, CaSO₄ was added to those soils not adjusted with CA(OH)₂. The mycobionts of P. patula exhibited a low degree of specificity regarding the soil pH values used, although there was a tendency to greater development at pH 4,8. Seedling growth was greater at pH 4,8 with the addition of CaSO₄ than at pH 4,8 without.