The growth of some perennial grasses in waterlogged soil. I. The effect of waterlogging on the availability of nitrogen and phosphorus to the plant

Abstract

In a greenhouse experiment, nitrogen uptake by young phalaris plants was depressed by soil waterlogging. The effect became more pronounced as the level of application of nitrogen fertilizer was increased. In a second experiment, soil waterlogging had similar effects on the availability of phosphorus to phalaris and perennial veldt grass. The reduction in uptake was much more marked in the latter species. Perennial veldt grass was much less tolerant of waterlogging than phalaris. However, phalaris exhibited adverse reactions unless the soil nutrient status was sufficiently high. The application of these findings to field condition is discussed briefly.