Non-Lethal Pathological Infection of Roots

Abstract

Rovira and Bowen¹ reported reduction in root elongation and in root-hair development following the addition of pasture soil suspension to seedlings of clover, tomato, Phalaris tuberosa and Pinus radiata raised in sterile agar or sand culture. They suggested the possibility of a complex interaction between plants and micro-organisms. Since there was no observable effect on the plant tops in their experiments, the reduced absorbing surface of the roots was apparently offset by the ‘luxury’ amounts of plant nutrients used.