Phytolith‐associated potassium in fern: characterization, dissolution properties and implications for slash‐and‐burn agriculture

• Published in: Soil use and management Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 28 - 36
• Main Authors: Tran, C. T., Mai, N. T., Nguyen, V. T., Nguyen, H. X., Meharg, A., Carey, M., Dultz, S., Marone, F., Cichy, S. B., Nguyen, M. N., Aitkenhead, Matt
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bedfordshire Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2018
• Subjects: Ash; Ashes; Burning; Crops; Dicranopteris linearis; Dissolution; fern; Ferns; Heat treatment; Microscopy; Organic matter; phytolith; Plant cells; Potassium; Shifting cultivation; Silica; Silicon dioxide; Tropical environment; Tropical environments

In recent time, phytoliths (silicon deposition between plant cells) have been recognized as an important nutrient source for crops. The work presented here aims at highlighting the potential of phytolith‐occluded K pool in ferns. Dicranopteris linearis (D. linearis) is a common fern in the humid sub...