Plant growth and mineral content of barley as related to irrigation with bicarbonate Waters

Summary In lysimeters filled with sand from the Wadi el Natrun Area, the effect of varying levels of bicarbonate in irrigation solutions on the growth and mineral content of barley, var. Maryut, was investigated.Crop yield decreased progressively with the bicarbonate ion level and this condition was associated with symptoms of chlorosis. The bicarbonate levels of 13.0 and 20.0 me/l developed almost similar effects and reduced the crop yield by about 60 per cent of the control. The 41 me/l bicarbonate level developed stunted plant growth, induced severe chlorosis and reduced crop yield by 70 per cent of the control.Mineral analysis of the whole plant tissue and cell sap reflected the treatment effect on the concentration of the nutritive elements. The data indicated the immobilization of iron particularly in the root part. The ratio of phosphorus to iron and calcium to iron in the cell sap increased greatly with the bicarbonate level in irrigation solutions and were related to chlorosis.