Potential potassium buffer capacity of Kamchatka volcanic soils

The volcanic soils of Kamchatka are characterized by low and very low values of their potential potassium buffer capacity. The largest amount of readily exchangeable potassium (-ΔK ₀) is observed in the surface layers of the natural soils and is due to the active biogenic accumulation. The soddy horizons have a high content of strongly fixed potassium (K _X ). The main factors determining the content of the labile potassium and its mobility are the contents of physical clay, humus, and exchangeable potassium. The extremely nonuniform distribution of all the potassium status parameters throughout the soil profile reflects the discrete character of the volcanic pedogenesis. The low values of the potential buffer capacity for the potassium (PBC^K) at the high values of the equilibrium potassium potential (AR ₀) and the medium content of the labile potassium in the light-textured synlithogenic soils simultaneously indicate both the good potassium supply of the plants and the incapability of the soils to resist potassium exhaustion under agricultural production conditions for a long time.     

Sources of soluble calcium and magnesium and their effects on sodium adsorption ratios of solutions in two soils of israel

Exchange reactions and dissolution of soil minerals in 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 N NaCl solutions at three different times of contact between two soils and the solutions were studied. It was found that dissolution of soil minerals occurred continuously and the release of divalent cations from exchange sites did not stop the process. The amounts dissolved from both soils increased as the concentration of NaCl and time of contact increased. The minimum amounts of calcium and magnesium dissolved in 0.01 N NaCl during 10 min of contact between soil and solution were 0.7 and 0.9 mequiv./100 g from a noncalcareous terra rossa and a calcareous grumusol, and the maximum amounts of these cations dissolved in 0.1 N NaCl during two weeks of contact were 2.5 and 3.1 mequiv./100 g soil from the terra rossa and grumusol, respectively. The amounts released from exchange sites were proportional to the cation exchange capacities of the soils and the SAR of the soil solutions. The effects of calcium and magnesium released from dissolution of soil carbonates and aluminosilicate and from exchange sites on SAR of soil extracts were investigated.     

Effect of water quality on exchange phase — solution phase behavior of three soils

The effect of total electrolyte concentration (TEC) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of water on ESR‐SAR relationships of clay (Typic Haplustert), clay loam (Vertic Haplustept) and silt loam (Lithic Haplorthent) soils was studied in a laboratory experiment. Twenty four solutions, encompassing four TEC levels viz., 5, 10, 20, and 50 mmol_c l^—1 and six SAR levels viz., 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 mmol^1/2l^—1/2 were synthesized to equilibrate the soil samples using pure chloride salts of calcium, magnesium, and sodium at Mg:Ca = 1:2. SAR of equilibrium solution decreased as compared to the equilibrating solution and more so in waters of low salt concentration and high SAR. At low electrolyte concentration, high SAR values were not attained in the equilibrium solution because of addition of calcium and magnesium from the mineral dissolution and from the exchange phase. Irrespective of TEC, exchangeable sodium in all the soils increased by about 4.5 to 5‐fold and irrespective of SAR, it increased by about 1.4‐ to 1.8‐fold. A positive interaction of TEC and SAR influenced the ESP build‐up and CEC played a major role in the visual disparity in sodication of these soils. At higher TEC levels, considerable increase in ESP was observed when it was corrected for anion exclusion and more so in silt loam followed by clay loam and clay soils. The values for Gapons' constant were in the range 0.0110—0.0176, 0.0142—0.0246, and 0.0189—0.0344 mmol^—1/2l^1/2 in clay, clay loam, and silt loam soils, respectively. Increase in TEC from 5 to 50 mmol_c l^—1 resulted in 5.84, 8.33, and 9.77 % decrease in Gapons' constant of clay, clay loam, and silt loam soils, respectively. The soils exhibited differential affinity for Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ or Na⁺ under different quality waters. Regression coefficients of ESR‐SAR relationship were lower for low TEC as compared with high TEC waters. The exchange equilibrium was strongly affected by TEC of the solution phase. Variation in soil pH was gradual with respect to TEC and SAR of equilibrating solution and no sharp change was observed. Soluble salt concentration was doubled upon equilibration with low salt waters at all SAR levels in all the soils. However, the salt concentration remained unchanged upon equilibration with high salt waters. Considering pH 8.5 a boundary between soil salinity and sodicity, ESP values attained at TEC 5 mmol_c l^—1 were 7.34, 8.02, and 14.32 for clay, clay loam, and silt loam soils, respectively.     

Potassium fixation of some calcareous soils after short term extraction with different solutions

This investigation was done to determine the release of potassium (K) from five calcareous soils of southern Iran using 0.025 M CaCl₂, HCl and citric acid during six successive extractions and to study the K fixation capacity of the soils after K release experiment. Mineralogical study indicated that Vertisols and Mollisols were dominated with smectites; while other soils had illite, chlorite, palygorskite and smectite. Results indicated that citric acid extracted more K than CaCl₂ and HCl (137 vs. 111 and 113 mg kg^?1, respectively). The analysis of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and K concentrations in the solutions suggests that the exchange of K with soluble Ca and Mg (originated from dissolution of carbonates by acidic solutions) is the main mechanism of K release, but citrate is able to dissolve K-bearing minerals and release K in slightly calcareous soils. Soils with more illite released more K. Potassium fixation capacity of soils increased after extractions of soils with different extractants from 324 to 471 mg kg^?1, with no significant difference. It is suggested to apply more K fertilizers in K-depleted calcareous soils and use of different solutions for extracting K from soil minerals may be a temporary and short term solution.     

Suitability of a hydraulic‐conductivity model for predicting salt effects on swelling soils

Many empirical approaches have been developed to analyze changes in hydraulic conductivity due to concentration and composition of equilibrium solution. However, in swelling soils these approaches fail to perform satisfactorily, mainly due to the complex nature of clay minerals and soil–water interactions. The present study describes the changes in hydraulic conductivity of clay (Typic Haplustert) and clay‐loam (Vertic Haplustept) soils with change in electrolyte concentration (TEC) and sodium‐adsorption ratio (SAR) of equilibrium solution and assesses the suitability of a model developed by Russo and Bresler (1977) to describe the effects of mixed Na‐Ca‐Mg solutions on hydraulic conductivity. Four solutions encompassing two TEC levels viz., 5 and 50 mmol_c L^–1 and two SAR levels viz., 2.5 and 30 mmol^1/2 L^–1/2 were synthesized to equilibrate the soil samples using pure chloride salts of Ca, Mg, and Na at Ca : Mg = 2:1. Diluting 50 mmol_c L^–1 solution to 5 mmol_c L^–1 reduced saturated hydraulic conductivity of both soils by 66%, and increasing SAR from 2.5 to 30 mmol^1/2 L^–1/2 decreased saturated hydraulic conductivity by 82% and 79% in clay and clay‐loam soils, respectively. Near saturation, the magnitude of the change in unsaturated hydraulic conductivity due to the change in TEC and SAR was of 10³‐ and 10²‐fold, and at volumetric water content of 0.20 cm³ cm^–3, it was of 10¹⁴‐ and 10⁶‐fold in clay and clay‐loam soils, respectively. Differences between experimental and predicted values of saturated hydraulic conductivity ranged between 0.6% and 11% in clay and between 0.06% and 2.1% in clay‐loam soils. Difference between experimental and predicted values of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity widened with drying in both soils. Predicted values were in good agreement with the experimental values of hydraulic conductivity in clay and clay‐loam soils with R² values of 0.98 and 0.94, respectively. The model can be satisfactorily used to describe salt effects on hydraulic conductivity of swelling soils in arid and semiarid areas, where groundwater quality is poor.     

Ryegrass Response to Mineral Fertilization and Organic Amendment with Municipal Solid Waste Compost in Two Tropical Agricultural Soils of Mali

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to assess the effect of mineral fertilization and compost on the growth and chemical composition of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) grown on two Malian agricultural soils coming from Baguinéda, abbreviated as Bgda, (12°23′ S, 7°45′ W) and Gao (16°18′ N, 0°). Treatments included non‐fertilized control, NPK alone, NPK + C₂₅, NPK + C₅₀, NPK + C₁₀₀, PK + C₅₀, NK + C₅₀, NP + C₅₀, K + C₅₀, P + C₅₀, N + C₅₀, and C₅₀ alone, where NPK represents the non modified Hoagland's solution and C₂₅, C₅₀, and C₁₀₀ represent the different rates (25, 50, and 100 T/ha) of compost. Compost and mineral fertilization significantly increased dry matter production. The application of 50 T/ha of compost alone increased the dry matter yield by 10 and 17.5% while mineral nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK) increased yield by 69.7 and 65% for Gao and Bgda, respectively. The combination of compost and mineral NPK (NPK + C₂₅ for Gao and NPK + C₅₀ for Bgda) affected the highest dry matter yield. For both soils, N concentrations in plants increased significantly with compost rate. Phosphorus and K concentrations in plants varied according to the soil. The application of compost increased the uptake of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and potassium (K from both soils). Increases in soil organic carbon, available P, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, K, and pH were observed in treatments receiving compost. Therefore, compost appeared to be a good supplier of nutrients for tropical soils.     

Exchange equilibria of potassium in soils. II. Effect of farmyard manure on K-Mg exchange

Exchange behaviour of potassium versus magnesium was studied on surface soil samples of 3 Ustochrepts from a semiarid tropical region in relation to different levels of cattle farmyard manure (FYM, 0, 2.5, 5 and 10%). Magnesium saturated soil samples were equilibrated with KCl + MgCl₂ solutions having a range of equivalent ion fraction of K from 0 to 1 in the equilibrium solutions. The experimental results were analysed and interpreted, using different exchange selectivity quotients and thermodynamic parameters. Application of FYM caused a small but consistent increase in the K-preference over Mg as depicted from the normalized exchange isotherms. Standard free energy of K-Mg exchange were strongly negative (ΔGo-6.97 to ?9.47 kJ eq^?1 by Gaines and Thomas approach; ΔG'o ?10.85 to ?14.15 kJ M^?1 by Babcock and Duckart approach), suggesting a strong thermodynamic preference for K over Mg in these soils. For comparable treatments, ΔGo were about ?0.84 to ?1.25 kJ eq^?1 more negative for K-Mg, compared to K-Ca system reported earlier. ΔGo for 10% FYM treatments became more negative over the controls by 2.34, 1.40 and 0.53 kJ eq^?1 for Hissar, Panipat and Pehowa soils, respectively. All the selectivity quotients scrutinized in this investigation, viz., Gapon (K_G), Vanselow (K_v) and thermodynamic (K_N) were strongly K-saturation dependent; the dependence becoming more pronounced with the addition of FYM.     

Base cation,aluminum, and phosphorus release potential in Danish forest soils

Long‐term nutrient supply in forest ecosystems is due to the dissolution of primary and secondary minerals in soils. The potential of nutrient release in 19 forest soils in a cool humid climate was examined. The soil profiles are classified as Alfisols (10), Spodosols (2), Entisols (4), Ultisols (1), and Mollisols (2), thus covering a gradient in soil fertility. Short‐term and long‐term release of calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and aluminum was evaluated by a batch extraction using dilute nitric acid (0.1 M) for 2 hours, followed by 2 days (48 h), and 7 days (168 h). The solution was renewed after 2 and 50 hours extraction time. Nutrient pools expressed as g m^–2 to soil depth 100 cm, and a base index (Ca²⁺+ Mg²⁺+ K⁺ (mol_c m^–2) : Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺ + K⁺ + Al³⁺ (mol_c m^–2)) were interpreted in relation to soil texture classes. Subsoil texture classes: Coarse: < 5 % clay; medium 5–10 % clay or (> 5 % silt or > 50 % fine sand), or fine > 10 % clay were evaluated as an indicator of forest soil quality. Base cation and phosphorus release decreased in the order fine > medium > coarse. Texture classes explained base cation release by about 80 % of total variation, and phosphorus release by 40–50 %. The base index generally increased by extraction time for sandy soils and decreased for loamy soils. This indicated that sandy soils released accumulated reactive aluminum in the 0–2 hour extraction. Subsoil texture class is suggested as a pedotransfer function for long‐term nutrient release potential in Danish forest soils.     

Nitrogen mineralization in histosols of the everglades agricultural area

Abstract

A long‐term soil incubation and column nutrient leaching study was conducted to determine nitrogen (N)‐mineralization rates of selected Florida Histosols with drained and intermittent‐flooded conditions. Five surface soils from the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) were packed in columns (5‐cm i.d. containing the 0‐ to 15‐cm depth of each soil) and leached with 0.01M CaC12 followed by distilled water every 25 d for 1 yr. Drained columns were treated with a minus‐nitrogen‐phosphorus (NP) solution followed by applying ‐0.97 MPa tension to remove excess solution. Flooded columns received the same minus‐NP solution, but were flooded to a depth of 3 cm. Both treatments were incubated for 25‐d periods, solution sampled, and treatments reapplied. Because flooding conditions could not be maintained during the sampling period, this treatment is referred to as intermittent flooded. The ammonium‐nitrogen (NH₄ ⁺‐N) released from drained soils accounted for less than 6% of the total soluble N released from all soils, compared to more than 30% released from flooded soils. There were no differences in the amounts of soluble organic N from drained and intermittent flooded soils. Total soluble N from the surface 15‐cm of drained soils ranged from 217 to 509 kg‐ha^‐1yr^‐1, with 50 to 67% released as nitrate‐nitrogen (NO₃ ^‐‐N). In contrast, total soluble N released from flooded soils ranged from 168 to 345 kg‐ha^‐1yr^‐1, with less than 3% released as NO₃ ^‐‐N.     

Salinity tolerance in tomato: Implications of potassium,calcium, and phosphorus

Abstract

The effect of salinity on the growth and yield of tomato plants and mineral composition of tomato leaves was studied. Five tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) cultivars, Pearson, Strain B, Montecarlo, Tropic, and Marikit, were grown in sand nutrient culture. The nutrient solutions applied consisted of a modified half‐strength Hoagland solution with 50 mM sodium chloride (NaCl), 3 mM potassium sulphate (K₂SO₄), 1.5 mM orthophosphoric acid (H₃PO₄), and 10 mM calcium sulphate (CaSO₄). Stem height and number of leaves of tomato plants were not found to be significantly different but leaf and stem dry weight were reduced significantly in plants irrigated with saline nutrient solution in contrast with control plants. The total yield was reduced in plants that received saline treatments, but there was no significant difference in fruit number and fruit set percentage. The fruit electrical conductivity and total soluble solids were increased in plants irrigated with saline nutrient solution. Fruit pH was not found to be significantly different among salinity treatments. Mineral composition of tomato leaves were increased by addition of potassium (K), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca) to the saline nutrient solution. The addition of K to the solution resulted in an increase in sodium (Na) leaf content. The amounts of K and magnesium (Mg) were not significantly different among salinity treatments. Calcium content was increased when CaSO₄ was added. Application of H₃PO₄ resulted in the highest amount of P in tomato leaves under saline conditions. The present study revealed that application of K, P, and Ca under saline conditions improved fruit electrical conductivity and total soluble solids. Sufficiency levels of the mineral nutrients K and P were obtained in tomato leaves when the appropriate nutrient was used in the saline solution.     

Overcoming the Confounding Effects of Salinity on Sodic Soil Research

The adverse effects of sodicity on plant growth are difficult to quantify using naturally occurring soils because of the confounding variation in other soil properties, particularly salinity, pH, organic matter, soil nutrients, mineralogy, and texture. We applied a method involving the equilibration of large soil volumes with solutions varying in sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), followed by excess salt removal with solutions of similar SAR but lower ionic strength. Application of this method to a calcareous nonsodic, nonsaline Vertosol from Narrabri, New South Wales, resulted in soils with exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) values between 2% and 25% but with similar magnesium and potassium concentrations and constant electrical conductivity (～2.7 dS/m). Soil pH and solution phosphorus concentrations automatically increased as the ESP of the soil rose, which is important to consider when addressing plant growth results. This method can successfully minimize the confounding of sodicity with other soil properties that so often plagues sodic soil research.     

Implication of Gypsum Rates to Optimize Hydraulic Conductivity for Variable‐Texture Saline–Sodic Soils Reclamation

Sodium (Na⁺) dominated soils reduce saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) by clay dispersion and plugging pores, while gypsum (CaSO₄•2H₂O) application counters these properties. However, variable retrieval of texturally different saline–sodic soils with gypsum at soil gypsum requirement (SGR) devised to define its quantity best suited to improve K_s, leach Na⁺ and salts. This study comprised loamy‐sand (LS), sandy loam (SL), and clay loam (CL) soils with electrical conductivity of saturation extract (EC_e) of ~8 dS m⁻¹, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of ~44 (mmol L⁻¹)^1/2 and exchangeable sodium of ~41%, receiving no gypsum (G₀), gypsum at 25% (G₂₅), 50% (G₅₀) and 75% (G₇₅) of SGR. Soils packed in lysimeters were leached with low‐carbonate water [EC at 0·39 dS m⁻¹, SAR at 0·56 (mmol L⁻¹)^1/2 and residual sodium carbonate at 0·15 mmol_c L⁻¹]. It proved that a rise in gypsum rate amplified K_s of LS ≫ SL > CL. However, K_s of LS soil at G₂₅ and others at G₇₅ remained efficient for salts and Na⁺ removal. Retention of calcium with magnesium (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺) by LS and SL soils increased by G₅₀ and decreased in G₇₅, while in CL, it also increased with G₇₅. The enhanced Na⁺ leaching efficiency in LS soil with G₂₅ was envisaged by water stay for sufficient time to dissolve gypsum and exchange and leach out Na⁺. Overall, the superiority of gypsum for LS at G₂₅, SL at G₅₀ and CL at G₇₅ predicted cost‐effective soil reclamation with a decrease in EC_e and SAR below 0·97 dS m⁻¹ and 5·92 (mmol L⁻¹)^1/2, respectively. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

土壤非交换态钾与结构态钾能够区分吗？

Nonexchangeable K (NEK) is the major portion of the reserve of available K in soil and a primary factor in determining soil K fertility. The questions of how much NEK is in soils and how to quantify total NEK in soils are so far still unclear due to the complicated effects of various minerals on K fixation. In this study, the NEK in 9 soils was extracted with sodium tetraphenylboron (NaBPh₄) for various time periods longer than 1 d. The results showed that the NEK extracted by NaBPh₄ gradually increased with time, but showed no more increase after the duration of extraction exceeded 10--20 d. As the temperature increased from 25 to 45 ^oC, the duration to obtain the maximum extraction of NEK was reduced from 20 to 10 d, and the maximum values of NEK released at both temperatures was almost the same for each soil. The maximum NEK (MNEK) of the 9 soils extracted by NaBPh4 varied from 3 074 to 10 081 mg kg^-1, accounting for 21%--56% of the total soil K. There was no significant correlation between MNEK released by NaBPh₄ and other forms of K, such as NH₄OAc-extracted K, HNO₃-extracted K and total K in soils, which indicates that NEK is a special form of K that has no inevitable relationship to the other forms of K in soils. The MNEK extraction by NaBPh₄ in this study indicated that the total NEK in the soils could be differentiated from soil structural K and quantified with the modified NaBPh₄ method. The high MNEK in soils made NEK much more important in the role of the plant-available K pool. How to fractionate NEK into different fractions and establish the methods to quantify each NEK fraction according to their bioavailability is of great importance for future research.     

Predicting potassium fertilizer requirement using exchange isotherm approach in relation to soil characteristics

Determining potassium (K) fertilizer requirement using sorption isotherms is considered more accurate than conventional soil K tests. A total of 59 surface soil samples were used to establish K exchange isotherm. To evaluate K requirement sorption test, a glasshouse experiment using perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, cv. Roper) was carried out on 10 soil samples. The experiment was laid out as a completely randomized design with four replications and four K levels (K₀, K₂₀, K₄₀, K₈₀). Concentrations of K in solution established by adding K in the pots estimated from the sorption curve ranged from 20 to 80 mg K l^?1 including check treatment (no K). Dry matter yield of ryegrass in most soils approached maximum as adjusted K levels were increased to 20 mg K l^?1. The amounts of K required to bring the soils to 20 mg l^?1 in soil solution varied among soils and ranged from 99 to 399 mg kg^?1, on average 205 mg kg^?1 soil. It was found that a useful regression model for the prediction of standard K requirement (K₂₀) included the combination of plant available K extracted by NH₄OAc (Av-K) and clay content: K₂₀ = ?41 ? 0.63 Av-K + 9.0 Clay (R² = 0.61, p < 0.001, n = 59).     

Response of maize for grain to potassium and magnesium fertilizers in soils with high lime contents

An antagonistic reaction between calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) may lead to low absorption of K and Mg by plants from soils with high Ca contents even when levels of K and Mg should be adequate. Two separate field studies were carried out in 2009 and 2010 to determine the effects of potassium (0, 40, 80, 120 kg K₂O ha^?1; as potassium sulfate) and magnesium (0, 20, 40, 60 kg magnesium oxide (MgO)ha^?1; as magnesium sulfate) applied to a soil with high lime content either separately or in combinations, on the grain yield and yield components of maize for grain in semi-arid Central Anatolia in Turkey. One dose of the K, Mg-fertilizers was applied during sowing in both years. According to the results, increasing the dosage of K increased yield components more than increases in Mg dosages. Combinations of K and Mg tended to maximize the yield components. Moreover, the greatest plant heights, first ear lengths, grain weights per ear and protein ratios were obtained for the K₈₀Mg₄₀ dose.     

Factors affecting potassium fixation in calcareous soils of southern Iran

Potassium fixation capacity and mineralogical analysis of 24 representative soils, collected from southern Iran, were studied. Potassium fixation analysis was performed by adding six rates of K from 0 to 1000 mg kg^?1 soil in a plastic beaker and shaking for 24 h. Mineralogical analysis showed that the clay fractions were dominated by smectite, chlorite, mica, palygorskite, vermiculite and quartz. In general, the studied soils fixed 8.5–55% of the added K. The potassium fixation capacity of the studied soils was significantly correlated with smectite content (r ² = 0.87), clay content (r ² = 0.60), cation-exchange capacity (r ² = 0.79) and NH₄OAc-K. Wetting and drying treatment and incubation time had significant effects on K fixation. The average percentage increase in K fixation following the wetting and drying treatment was 24 and 30% for surface and subsurface soils, respectively. The average percentage increase in K fixation with increasing residence time was 79 and 56% for surface and subsurface soils, respectively. Because K fixation is a diffusion process, time and increased concentration of soluble K (because of soil drying) are factors affecting the rate of K diffusion from a soil solution to the interlayer positions of the expansible 2:1 clay minerals.     

Interactions calcium‐magnesium ‐ potassium chez le sorgho‐grain.

Abstract

The interactions of major cations (K,Ca,Mg) are studied in Sorghum (Sorghum dochna F.); the nutritive solutions are deficient or not, in magnesium. The mineral contents of the plants grown on the reference solution are compared to those of two solutions, in which magnesium is replaced by calcium or potassium. The limit threshold of deficiency does not affect the yield of plants, but reduces strongly the content of magnesium. On the other hand, no variation of calcium is observed since the magnesium substitution is effected by potassium. The experiments do not clearly show a Mg/Ca interaction in Sorghum.     

Sodium bicarbonate‐DTPA test for macro‐and micronutrient elements in soils

Abstract

Individual soil tests are used to assess plant nutrient element needs. Separate soil tests, however, are time consuming and costly. Our objective was to develop a 0.5M sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) soil phosphorus (P) test in combination with 0.005M diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) so macronutrient dements: ammonium‐nitrogen (NH₄‐N), nitrate‐nitrogen (NO₃‐N), P, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg); and micronutrients: iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) could be quantified in one extraction. The NaHCO₃‐DTPA extracting solution is a combination of 0.5M NaHCO₃ and 0.005M DTPA and has a pH of 7.60±0.05. Sodium in the solution enhances the NH₄, K, Ca, and Mg extraction; bicarbonate (HCO₃) is for P extraction; DTPA chelates Ca, Mg, and micronutrients; and the water is for NO₃ extraction. Soil samples (0–15 cm depth) came from two sources. The first set was from 12 N x P dryland proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) experiments, conducted from 1985 through 1987 in eastern Colorado. These soils were extracted with potassium chloride (KCl), NaHCO₃, ammonium acetate (CH₃‐COONH₄), DTPA, ammonium bicarbonate DTPA (AB‐DTPA), and with the NaHCO₃‐DTPA solutions. The second set included 25 soils from Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and were analyzed only for available P with the NaHCO₃ and NaHCO₃‐DTPA methods. Simple linear correlations for macronutrient elements and micronutrients were highly significant. Critical levels for the macronutrient elements: NO₃‐N, P, and K were 27, 11, and 144 mg kg^‐1, respectively; and the critical levels for the micronutrients: Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu were 3.9, 0.35, 0.97, and 0.24 mg kg^‐1, respectively.     

IONIC DISPLACEMENT AND RECLAMATION OF SALINE‐SODIC SOILS USING CHEMICAL AMENDMENTS AND CROP ROTATION

Biological, chemical and bio‐chemical strategies have been tested in the past for reclamation of saline‐sodic and sodic soils. The efficiency of two crop rotations (rice‐wheat and Sesbania‐wheat) alone or in combination with either gypsum (CaSO₄.2H₂O) or sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) was tested for ionic displacement from four saline‐sodic soils. Pure gypsum was applied at 50 per cent of soil gypsum requirement at the time of planting rice and Sesbania, whereas 95 per cent pure sulfuric acid was added at 50 per cent soil gypsum requirement as one‐third applications by mixing with the first three irrigations. The rice crop biomass decreased at a soil saturation extract electrical conductivity (EC_e) of 8 dS m⁻¹, whereas wheat and Sesbania were influenced at a sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of ≥40. Gypsum treatment helped the crops flourish well at these EC_e and SAR levels. The infiltrated volume of water dropped with decrease in EC_e : SAR ratio of soils and increase in crop biomass production. Crops rotation treatments alone helped leach sodium (Na⁺) and other ions successfully at SAR ≤ 21 but were less effective at SAR ≥ 40 at which point plants growth was also curtailed. Gypsum and H₂SO₄ treatments significantly aided leaching of Na⁺ and other ions with water at SAR ≥ 40 under both the crop rotations. Hence, crops effectively reclaimed soil at low sodicity level, whereas at high SAR, chemical amendments are obligatory in order to reclaim soils. This study also suggests that the required dose of H₂SO₄ should be applied with pre‐planting irrigation for better yield of the first crop. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

施钾对茶园土壤钾素及平衡的影响

盆栽选取四川、重庆典型的砂岩黄壤、灰岩黄壤、酸性紫色土为供试土壤,田间选取在砂岩黄壤上生长了25年的茶园,连续5年研究了施用钾肥(硫酸钾)对茶园土壤钾库及钾素平衡的影响。结果表明:施用钾肥能显著提高土壤钾库的各类钾素,但其绝对含量都呈逐年下降的趋势。土壤中各类钾素的变化因土壤类型而异,土壤各类钾素的增量均为灰岩黄壤砂岩黄壤酸性紫色土。不施钾肥(CK)的盆栽茶树、田间茶树分别每年从土壤取走钾素0.10.g/kg。盆栽三种土壤的钾素年平均流失量分则别为0.18.g/kg(灰岩黄壤)、0.09.g/kg(砂岩黄壤)、0.07g/kg(酸性紫色土),可见种植茶树施用K肥很有必要。