Determination of Appropriate Soil Test Extractant for Available Phosphorus in Southwestern Nigerian Soils

Evaluation of five soil phosphorus (P) extractants was done on southwestern Nigerian soils from sedimentary and basement complex parent materials to determine the relationship between the extractants and the most appropriate extractant for the soils. The soils differed in properties. Generally, soils from the basement material had less available P compared with sedimentary material. Olsen extracted the greatest P. Bray 1 measured 67% of Olsen P, Hunter measured 52%, Mehlich measured 42%, and Ambic measured 24%. Positive and significant regression (P < 0.001) existed among Bray 1, Olsen, Mehlich, Hunter, and Ambic extractants. The strongest relationship was found among Olsen, Mehlich, and Ambic P. The relationship between maize P uptake and extracted P was quadratic, whereas the relationship with Mehlich was logarithmic. Bray, Mehlich, and Olsen P were the significant contributors to the maize P uptake and dry-matter yield. Extractants in order of P extraction were Olsen > Bray 1 > Hunter > Mehlich > Ambic.     

Divergent Relationships of Phosphorus Soil Tests in Temperate Grassland Soils

Abstract

Various soil tests are used to estimate phosphorus (P) availability for both crop uptake and potential loss to water. Conversion equations may provide a basis for comparison between different tests and regions, although the extent to which information can be interchanged is uncertain. The objective was to determine and quantify relationships between specific soil test extractants for samples taken annually in October and February over 4 years from four sites in each of eight soil series under grassland. The extractants comprised Mehlich‐3, Morgan, Olsen, Bray‐1, lactate–acetate, CaCl₂ (1∶2 and 1∶10 soil–solution ratios), and resin. The results showed distinct relationships for each soil series, for which individual lines regression models (different intercepts and slopes) were superior to a single conversion equation across all soils. The ensuing difference between soils was large and ranged from 1.9 to 8.0 and 9.2 to 15.6 mg kg^?1 P for Morgan and Olsen, respectively, at 20 mg kg^?1 Mehlich‐3 P. Generally, the environmentally oriented tests CaCl₂ and resin correlated best with Morgan. Some soil‐specific limitations were also observed. CaCl₂ was less efficient than Morgan, and Morgan less efficient than Mehlich‐3 on a high Fe–P soil derived from Ordovician‐shale diamicton, compared with the general trend for other soils. This finding suggests that further disparity may arise where evaluation of critical, or other, limits across regions involves even a limited sequence of tests.     

Soil Phosphorus Available for Crops and Grasses Extracted with Three Soil-Test Methods in Southern Brazilian Soils Amended with Phosphate Rock

The Mehlich 1 (M1) soil-test method has been used for soil phosphorus (P) extraction in southern Brazil. The objective of this work was to compare M1, Mehlich 3 (M3), and ionic exchange resin (resin) soil-test methods to evaluate the soil P available for crops and grasses in soils amended with phosphate rock (PR). Oxisol and Alfisol received triple superphosphate (TS) and PR. The M1 solution extracted greater P amounts in soils amended with PR compared with the M3 solution and resin methods. Lesser P amounts were extracted with the M3 solution. Crops yields were better associated with the P amounts extracted with M3 and resin methods in soils amended with PR. The results showed that M1 overestimates soil P availability to plants in soils amended with PR; the M3 solution best estimated the soil P available for crops and grasses in soils amended with PR.     

Determination of phosphorus in calcareous soils by mehlich 3, mehlich 2, cal,and egner extractants

Abstract

Acid extractants were found to be a problem when determining phosphorus in some soils especially in soils with a higher content of carbonates. Carbonate content, soil pH or extractable calcium cannot exactly predict the behavior of a particular soil. On the other hand, measurement of pH after extraction reflects the ability of soil to change the properties of an extractant. The objective of this study was to find the relationships between pH changes during the extraction and the extraction of phosphorus for Mehlich 3, Mehlich 2, CAL, and Egner extractants. Twelve soil samples from various regions of the Czech Republic were taken for investigation. The pH/KCl of the samples was in the range 4.9–7.3. Calcium carbonate was added into the extracting bottles to the soil samples before extraction. The CaCO₃/soil ratio was from 0 to 0.5. The content of phosphorus and pH were measured in filtrates after extraction. The ratio P₁ =P_meas /P_O was calculated for all measurements, all additions of calcium carbonate and all soils. P_meas is the measured value of phosphorus after extraction with the addition of calcium carbonate and P_o is the value of phosphorus determined after the extraction without addition of calcium carbonate. The ratio P_r reflects the changes in the extractability of phosphorus and it is independent of the absolute content of phosphorus in soil. The relationships between P_r and pH after extraction for CAL, Mehlich 2, and Mehlich 3 extractants were found. No such relationship was found for Egner extractant. Correction equations (x=pH after extraction, y=P_r):     

不同浸提剂提取的土壤磷铝与油茶各器官磷铝含量的相关分析

采用Mehlich3、ASI、Bray、DTPA、HCl等5种浸提方法测定油茶林地土壤磷、铝含量,并分析其与叶片等器官磷、铝含量的关系。结果表明:ASI法提取的磷含量最高,平均值达4.12 mg/kg,Bray法提取的磷含量最低;铝提取量依次为HCl-AlBray-AlM3-AlASI-AlDTPA-Al。5种方法提取的磷、铝含量分别存在较好的正相关关系。油茶叶片的磷含量和铝含量最高,其中铝含量达14.22 g/kg,是其他器官铝含量的11.5~28.1倍。叶片磷含量与HCl-P、叶片铝含量与HCl-Al分别呈显著正相关。该研究表明0.01 mol/L HCl提取法具有应用于同时测定土壤磷、铝含量和评价其对油茶生物有效性的可行性。     

Extraction Methods for Phosphorus and Their Relationship with Soils Phosphorus‐Buffer Capacity Estimated by the Remaining‐Phosphorus Methodology‐A Pot Study with Maize

Abstract

This work aimed to calibrate Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, Bray 1, Olsen, and ion‐exchange resin extraction methods with maize phosphorus (P) responses in a pot study with lowland and upland soils with different P‐buffer capacities and to evaluate whether the calibration can be enhanced through the knowledge of remaining P. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications in a factorial arrangement involving five P concentrations and four lowland or seven upland soils. The remaining P for each soil was determined, P‐buffer capacity was estimated, and the soils were grouped according to the results. Correlation coefficients showed that the remaining P is strongly dependent on clay and soil organic‐matter content, and its determination was useful to the evaluation of the extractants. The classification and grouping of soils according to their P‐buffer capacity improved the correlations between extracted P and plant response for Mehlich 1 and Bray 1 extractants. The Mehlich 3, Olsen, and resin methods presented better performances, independent of soil grouping.     

Soil Phosphorus Tests for Flooded Rice Grown in Contrasting Soils and Cropping History

Soil phosphorus (P) tests for flooded rice (Oryza sativa L.) generally present uncertainties for estimating P availability. Bray 1, 1% citric acid, Mehlich 3, Olsen extractants (dry samples), and Bray 1 extractant after 3 days (BI3) and 7 days (BI7) of anaerobic incubations were evaluated to estimate P availability for rice in 43 Uruguayan soils. Field trials were conduced at each site (0, 13, 26, and 39 kg P applied ha^?1). Relative yield and absolute and relative yield increases were determined. Extracted P was variable for the different tests. For silty soils, P availability was better estimated by citric acid, Mehlich 3, and Bray 1, with similar soil P critical concentrations (6?8 mg P kg^?1). The BI3 and BI7 tests showed greater soil P critical concentration but poorer correlations with yield indexes. This study contributes to the scientific basis of P fertilization for flooded rice, promoting more effective fertilizer use and minimizing environmental P losses.     

Comparison of Multi-element to Single‐Element Extractants for Macro‐ and Micronutrients in Acid Soils from Spain

Abstract

Different chemical reagents are used to assess plant‐available nutrients from soils with similar properties. The use of different extractants is a serious limitation when comparing results between different soil‐testing laboratories, often leading to large differences in fertilizer recommendations for similar crops.

In this study, 80 samples from acid soils from Galicia (Spain) were used to compare several soil nutrient extractants. Traditional and tested extractants for acid soil such as Bray 2 and ammonium acetate were used to evaluate multielement extractants such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid–ammonium acetate (EDTA‐aa), ammonium bicarbonate–diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (AB‐DTPA), and Mehlich 3.

Linear regression analyses were performed to relate the amount of each nutrient obtained by traditional soil extractants to the amount obtained by multielement extractants. Strong correlation was found between extractable Bray 2 P and Mehlich 3 P (r²=0.97, slope=0.87, and intercept=?0.48). The slope of the regression line between EDTA‐aa‐extractable calcium (Ca) and that from ammonium acetate (Aa) approached 1∶1 (r²=0.86). Similar results were obtained for magnesium (Mg) (r²=0.99). Soil zinc (Zn) concentrations extracted by Mehlich 3 and EDTA‐aa were similar; slope of the regression line was 0.95 (r²=0.88). With regard to copper (Cu), Mehlich 3 extracted approximately 20% more Cu than EDTA‐aa.

The results showed that Mehlich 3 and EDTA‐aa are suitable for assessment of plant available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, and iron (Fe) in acid soils.     

Potential errors in the use of the Murphy and Riley method for determination of phosphorus in soil extracts

Abstract

The Murphy and Riley method for phosphorus (P) determination is used with almost all commonly used soil P extractants, but few tests for the effects of extractants itself on the indicator species have been reported. In practice, it is important to know the period of stability of the indicator species and the range of P and extractant concentrations that produce reliable results. In this study, a series of tests was conducted over a range of extract volumes to determine indicator species stability and to identify factors affecting it. Three soil P extradants (Mehlich‐3, Bray‐I, and Modified Truog) and three soils were tested at different levels of extract volume, solution pH, and P concentration. In our tests, Bray‐I and Modified Truog did not interfere with the stability of the indicator species under conditions commonly used for soil P determinations. Mehlich‐3 caused fading of the blue color at low P concentrations and precipitation of a blue compound at high P concentrations. This instability was most pronounced when Mehlich‐3 extradant volumes exceeded 2 mL in 50 mL final solutions with P concentrations greater than 0.4 mg/L. The EDTA and NH₄NO₃ contained in Mehlich‐3 both contributed significantly to the observed instability. Our results indicate that use of the Murphy and Riley method with untested extradants can produce unreliable P determinations, especially when soil extract volumes are high relative to the total volume of the colored solution.     

Comparison of Three Micronutrient Soil-Test Extractants in Three Greek Soil Types

The purpose of the present study was to compare the ability of three micronutrient soil-test extractants [diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), Mehlich 3, and Soltanpour and Schwab] to determine plant-available concentrations of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) in three soils (from parent material Marl, Gneiss schist, and Peridotite) from central Macedonia, northern Greece. In black plastic bags containing 3 kg of air-dried soil, self-rooted olive plants (cv. Chondrolia Chalkidikis) were grown for about 5 months and irrigated with distilled water during the experimental period. At the end of the experimental period, the three extractants were evaluated, based on correlation analysis among leaf micronutrient concentrations, total plant micronutrient content of olive plants, and soil micronutrient concentrations determined by each extractant. The largest extractable concentrations of Mn, Fe, and Zn were determined by Mehlich 3, compared to the other two soil-test extractants. However, for the correlation analysis, the greatest correlation coefficient between leaf Mn (and total plant Mn content) and soil extractable Mn was achieved when DTPA was used (varying from 0.76 to 0.88, depending on soil type). Therefore, it is concluded that DTPA was a better extractant to determine plant-available Mn than the other extractants for the three soils studied. For correlations between leaf Fe and Zn concentrations and also for total plant Fe and Zn content, and soil extractable concentrations, the type of extractant and soil type play a very important role in determining the best correlation. This means that in each soil type the greatest correlation was achieved with the use of other extractant. For example, for Fe in the Marl and Peridotite soils the best correlation was found for Mehlich 3, whereas in the Gneiss schist the best correlation was achieved for DTPA (R = 0.72–0.94). For Zn, in the Gneiss schist soil the best extractant in determining plant available concentration was Soltanpour and Schwab (R = 0.49–0.60), whereas in the other two soil types DTPA was found to be the most reliable extractant (R = 0.51–0.78). Therefore, soil type should be carefully and thoroughly studied by the researchers in similar future experiments.     

Comparisons of soil test phosphorus by Olsen,Bray P1, Mehlich I and Mehlich III methods

Abstract

A study was undertaken to evaluate the agreement among different university laboratories performing the Olsen, Bray P1, and Mehlich I tests for P on a diverse group of noncalcareous agricultural soils and to develop relationships among the Olsen, Bray P1, Mehlich I, and Mehlich III soil tests. For each test, the results from the individual laboratories were highly correlated (r² ≥ 0.90) and in almost all instances the slopes of the equations describing the relationships among laboratories approached one, The results indicate that the Olsen, Bray P1 and Mehlich I soil tests may be performed with a high degree of precision when standard soil test procedures are followed.

Of the three most commonly performed tests in the U.S. (Olsen, Bray P1, and Mehlich I), the Olsen and Mehlich I tests were the most highly correlated (r² = 0.87) although the Mehlich I test removed approximately one and one half times more P than did the Olsen test. Bray P1 and Olsen and Mehlich I P were less highly correlated (r² ≤ 0.72) and the relationships between these variables were influenced by the texture of the soils. The quantity of P removed by the Bray P1 test was on the order of two and three times greater than that removed by the Olsen and Mehlich I tests, respectively. The Bray P1 and Mehlich III soil tests were highly correlated (r² = 0.97) and similar quantities of P were extracted from the soil by the two tests.     

Phosphorus Availability to Corn and Soybean Evaluated by Three Soil-Test Methods for Southern Brazilian Soils

To select and evaluate the effectiveness of multi-element soil-test methods for extracting plant-available phosphorus (P), correlation studies are needed. Under natural conditions, corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were sequentially cultivated in 9-L microplots for 45 days to determine the amount of P that would be absorbed from 49 diverse soils of Rio Grande do Sul State in southern Brazil. Before planting, soil P was extracted with Mehlich 1 solution, Mehlich 3 solution, and ion- exchange resin. The abilities of Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, and resin to extract plant-available P were then compared. The coefficients of determination obtained between plant P and the amounts extracted by Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, and resin were 0.59, 0.45, and 0.59, respectively, for corn and 0.57, 0.57, and 0.52 for soybean. Soil P extracted by the three methods was highly correlated; however, the amount of P extracted by the methods was affected by the clay content of the soils. As the clay content increased, the amount of P extracted by the resin also increased, whereas P extracted by the Mehlich 3 solution decreased. Because soil clay content influences extractable P values, soil clay classes are needed to properly calibrate soil P status and fertilizer recommendations for corn and soybean grown on these soils.     

Phosphorus Fertilizer Calibration for Sugarcane on Everglades Histosols

A calibrated soil test for phosphorus (P) fertilizer application to sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) grown on organic soils in southern Florida is an important best-management practice for minimizing P loads in water draining to the Everglades. The current calibration uses water as the soil extractant, which has the limitations of being very sensitive to pH and being most applicable to short-season crops. Phosphorus fertilizer rate studies at six locations (20 total crop years) were analyzed to develop an updated soil-test P calibration for sugarcane on organic soils. Phosphorus extracted with water, acetic acid, and Bray 2 did not consistently relate well to crop response. A new P soil-test calibration for sugarcane is proposed based on Mehlich 3 soil extraction, with a maximum rate of 36 kg P ha^?1 with ≤ 10 g P m^?3 in preplant soil samples and no P recommended with >30 g P m^?3.     

Multielement Extraction from Southern Brazilian Soils

To evaluate the effectiveness of multielement extraction of Mehlich 1 and Mehlich 3 solutions in soils from southern Brazil, correlation studies are needed. The amounts of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) extracted with Mehlich 1 solution, 1.0 M potassium chloride (KCl), and 0.1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) for representative soil types of the Rio Grande do Sul state (Brazil) were compared with those extracted with Mehlich 3 solution. The amount of nutrients extracted with different methods indicated high correlation coefficients. On average, Mehlich 3 solution extracted greater amounts of P (50%) and K (20%) than Mehlich 1 solution. Calcium amounts extracted with all solutions were similar. Magnesium amounts extracted with Mehlich 3 solution were on average 20% less than the amounts extracted with 1.0 M KCl solution. Mehlich 3 solution extracted similar amounts of Cu as the 0.1 M HCl but lesser amounts of Zn. Simultaneous multielement soil-test methods such as Mehlich 1 and Mehlich 3 solutions are efficient in soils from southern Brazil and are a feasible alternative to improving the efficiency of soil-testing laboratories.     

Comparison of four phosphorus extraction methods on three acid southeastern soils

Abstract

Phosphorus extractants have not been tested extensively in the Southeast. An experiment was carried out to compare four P extractant methods using samples from a field P‐K factorial experiment with soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) at three locations in Georgia over four years. There were five P rates ranging from none to 80 kg ha^‐1. Soils and plant tissue were sampled at mid‐summer and yields were recorded. The four P extractants compared were Olsen, Mehlich 1, Mehlich 2, and Bray 1. Quadratic regressions for soil P versus plant P and P rates were not significant compared to linear regressions. There were no significant yield responses to P. All extractants except Olsen were similar in their response to added fertilizer P as measured by linear r² values. Olsen P gave lower linear r² values both with P rate and with plant P. Mehlich 1 values were highly correlated with Mehlich 2 (0.94**) and Bray 1 (0.96**). Mehlich 2 and Bray 1 gave nearly the same soil P values with linear regressions of slope of 1.0 and low intercepts. Results from these experiments show that Mehlich 1, Mehlich 2, or Bray 1 could be used successfully on these soils, but that Olsen should be avoided.     

Suitability of Different Soil Extractants for Determination of Available Cu and Mn Contents in Polish Soils

The aim of this study was to compare four micronutrient soil-test extractants currently in common use in Poland, Rinkis, Mehlich 3, modified Lindsay and Norvell, and Yanai, for ability to determine the plant-available concentration of copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) in two acidic soils (pH 4.8–4.9) that had been amended with different doses of Cu and Mn fertilizers. The comparison was based on two pot experiments (each with a different soil) with corn (Zea mays), barley (Hordeum vulgare), spring wheat (Triticum aestivum), rape (Brassica napus), red clover (Trifolium pratense), and English ryegrass (Lolium perenne). The extractants were evaluated based on a correlation analysis of the microelement concentrations in plants at the end of the vegetative phase and micronutrient concentration in the fertilized soil determined by each extractant at the end of the experimental period. The largest extractable concentrations of Cu and Mn in soils were obtained with Rinkis. The modified Lindsay and Norvell soil test extracted the lowest amount of both microelements. For soil Cu, the results with the Mehlich 3 and Yanai extractants were highly correlated with the Rinkis procedure results (r = 0.98). The modified Lindsay and Norvell results were not as well correlated with Rinkis (r = 0.84). For soil Mn, the correlation of results of Yanai, Mehlich 3, and modified Lindsay and Norvell to Rinkis ranged from r = 0.80 to r = 0.86. Levels of Mn and Cu measured with each of the extractants were highly correlated with plant tissue concentrations of Mn and Cu in most of the six plant species. The exceptions to this were the following: The modified Lindsay and Norvell soil Cu levels were not correlated with ryegrass and wheat plant Cu levels; Mehlich 3 Cu was not correlated with red clover Cu; and the Rinkis-extractable Mn was not correlated with the wheat Mn. It is concluded that the Yanai and Mehlich 3 procedures are suitable alternatives to the Rinkis for Cu but not for Mn.     

A comparison of methods to determine total,organic, and available phosphorus in forest soils

Abstract

Several methods for the determination of soil phosphorus (P) in acidic forest soils were examined. The Parkinson and Allen digestion method removed more total P than did the ignition method, especially with mineral soils. There were problems with both the Saunders and Williams ignition method and the Bowman and Moir extraction protocol for organic P determination. The problems were more pronounced when used on organic soil samples The Bray P1 was better than the Mehlich 3 method for measuring available P in mineral soils.     

长期定位施肥试验中土壤可溶性有机磷的变化规律及其有效性研究

基于潮土长期定位施肥试验(19892～004),利用三种浸提剂(水、NaHCO3、Mehlich.3)和ICP-AES测定法初步研究了土壤可溶性有机磷的变化规律、有效性以及不同施肥措施对有机磷有效性的影响。结果表明,长期不施磷的处理,土壤可溶性有机磷的含量常年维持在本底的极低水平;施用有机肥明显增加可溶性有机磷的含量,有机肥与NPK配施次之,只施无机肥料增加的幅度相对较小;施磷而不施氮(PK处理)导致三种浸提剂提取的磷90%以上为无机态。水、NaHCO3及Mehlich.3浸提的有机磷占对应浸提总磷的比例分别为18.8%、14.5%和8.9%,这部分有机磷与作物地上部吸磷量、土壤有机质达到极显著正相关,表现出较高的有效性,在磷素贫乏的土壤中表现更为明显,是土壤有效磷库的重要来源。     

Soil Test to Predict the Copper Availability in Pasture Soils

Abstract

The proportion of copper (Cu) that can be extracted by soil test extractants varied with the soil matrix. The plant‐available forms of Cu and the efficiency of various soil test extractants [(0.01 M Ca(NO₃)₂, 0.1 M NaNO₃, 0.01 M CaCl₂, 1.0 M NH₄NO₃, 0.1 M HCl, 0.02 M SrCl₂, Mehlich‐1 (M1), Mehlich‐3 (M3), and TEA‐DTPA.)] to predict the availability of Cu for two contrasting pasture soils were treated with two sources of Cu fertilizers (CuSO₄ and CuO). The efficiency of various chemical reagents in extracting the Cu from the soil followed this order: TEA‐DTPA>Mehlich‐3>Mehlich‐1>0.02 M SrCl₂>0.1 M HCl>1.0 M NH₄NO₃>0.01 M CaCl₂>0.1 M NaNO₃>0.01 M Ca(NO₃)₂. The ratios of exchangeable: organic: oxide bound: residual forms of Cu in M1, M3, and TEA‐DTPA for the Manawatu soil are 1:20:25:4, 1:14:8:2, and 1:56:35:8, respectively, and for the Ngamoka soil are 1:14:6:4, 1:9:5:2, and 1:55:26:17, respectively. The ratios of different forms of Cu suggest that the Cu is residing mainly in the organic form, and it decreases in the order: organic>oxide>residual>exchangeable. There was a highly significant relationship between the concentrations of Cu extracted by the three soil test extractants. The determination of the coefficients obtained from the regression relationship between the amounts of Cu extracted by M1, M3, and TEA‐DTPA reagents suggests that the behavior of extractants was similar. But M3 demonstrated a greater increase of Cu from the exchangeable form and organic complexes due to the dual activity of EDTA and acids for the different fractions and is best suited for predicting the available Cu in pasture soils.     

Correlation of Mehlich 3, bray 1, and ammonium acetate extractable P,K, Ca,and Mg for Alaska agricultural soils

Abstract

Soil test recommendations currently used in Alaska are based on a limited amount of in‐state data along with consideration of data from other states. Recently, Mehlich 3 extractable P has been found to be highly correlated to yield on representative agricultural soils in Alaska. To fully use its multi‐element capability, a study was conducted to correlate Mehlich 3 extractable P and cations (K, Ca, and Mg) with the P and cations extracted by the Bray 1 and ammonium acetate methods respectively.

When Mehlich 3 extractable K and Mg were regressed with ammonium acetate extractable K and Mg respectively, the relationship was essentially one‐to‐one and the relationship held across all soils tested. Significant variation was observed among soils in the extraction of Mehlich 3‐P and Ca relative to Bray 1‐P and ammonium acetate‐Ca. Individual soil character appeared to affect the regressions for extractable P and Ca, even though the R² values were generally high. The regression slopes for Mehlich 3‐P versus Bray 1‐P ranged from 1.01 to 1.88 with Mehlich 3 extracting an average of 66% more P than Bray 1 in the volcanic ash soils, and 12% more in the loess soils. The regression slopes for Mehlich 3‐Ca versus ammonium acetate‐Ca ranged from 0.95 to 1.33, and the former extracted an average of 17% more Ca than the latter. It is suggested that the regression data of P and Ca can be extrapolated to other soils based on soil classification; to extend the soil test data over a geographic base.