Interaction between Iron and Nickel and Copper and Nickel in Various Plant Species

Abstract

WHILE determining the exact nickel toxicity of plants grown on serpentine soils, I found that the degree of toxicity differs considerably among various species growing on the same soil. For example, the degree to which the growth of alfalfa, cabbage, adzuki bean, and bean and oat plants was retarded differed greatly according to the amount of nickel in the soil. This was evident in the necrotic areas, especially in cabbage, or in chlorosis of the leaves. The effect of nickel toxicity was minimal on timothy which showed longitudinal chlorosis, and on red clover which showed neither chlorosis nor necrosis. None of these symptoms appeared on potato or dent corn plants¹.