Optimized conditions for determination of total soil organic matter in diverse samples by mass loss on ignition

Reliable measurement of soil organic matter (SOM) contents is crucial to assessment of soil health, productive longevity and the effects of climate change. In this study, the loss‐on‐ignition (LOI) method has been used to determine the SOM of dried soil samples with a wide range of clay, sand and silt contents from the Agricultural Laboratory Proficiency (ALP) program. Regressions of ALP participant data against LOI measurements at 350–650°C indicate that the extent of SOM oxidation depends more on the ignition temperature and time than on the sample compositions. Thus, LOI data from ignition at 350–550°C for 12 h relative to ignition at 650°C for 12 h converge at 650°C and the average coefficient of variance decreases to ≈ 4% at 650°C. Also examined are regressions of soil organic C from direct dry combustion as standards with LOI measured at 360°C for 2 h, LOI measured at 650°C for 12 h and with the Walkley‐Black procedure used in the ALP program.     

Estimating soil organic carbon through loss on ignition: effects of ignition conditions and structural water loss

Loss on ignition (LOI) is one of the most widely used methods for measuring organic matter content in soils but does not have a universal standard protocol. A large number of factors may influence its accuracy, such as furnace type, sample mass, duration and temperature of ignition and clay content of samples. We conducted a series of experiments to quantify these effects, which enabled us to derive (i) guidelines for ignition conditions (sample mass, duration and temperature), (ii) temperature‐specific soil organic matter (SOM) to soil organic carbon (SOC) conversion factors and (iii) clay content‐dependent correction factors for structural water loss (SWL). Bulk samples of a sandy soil (4% clay) and a silt loam soil (25% clay) were used to evaluate the effects of ignition conditions. Samples with a range of clay contents (0–50%) were used to quantify conversion and correction factors. Two furnaces, one without and one with pre‐heated air, did not show significant differences in terms of within‐batch LOI variability. In both furnaces less combustion occurred close to the door, which necessitated tray turning at half‐time as this reduced the standard deviation per batch significantly. Variation in mass loss declined exponentially with sample mass (range, 0.15–20 g). The LOI increased with duration at lower temperatures (≤ 550°C) for the sandy soil. At greater temperatures (600 and 650°C), no effect of duration was found. For the silt loam soil, LOI values increased with duration for each temperature, which was attributed to SWL. The SOM to SOC conversion factor decreased strongly with temperature at an ignition duration of 3 hours from 0.70 (350°C) to 0.57 (500°C) and stabilized around 0.55 between 550 and 650°C, indicating that at temperatures ≥ 550°C all SOM had been removed. The clay correction factor for SWL increased from 0.01 to 0.09 as the temperature of ignition increased from 350 to 650°C. To minimize within‐batch LOI variation we recommend a standard ignition duration of 3 hours, tray turning at half‐time, a sample mass ≥ 20 g and temperatures equal to or greater than 550 °C. To avoid over‐estimates of SOM through structural water loss, the presented SWL correction procedure should always be applied.     

Loss‐on‐ignition as an estimator of soil organic carbon in a‐horizon forestry soils

Abstract

The determination of soil organic matter by wet digestion techniques is a slow and laborious analysis. Loss‐on‐ignition (LOI) provides a simple alternative technique for the estimation of soil organic carbon in non‐calcareous A horizon soils of the Natal midlands and Zululand forestry regions. Using multiple regressional techniques, the relationships between loss‐on‐ignition, Walkley organic carbon and soil texture for 55 soils were determined over a range of ignition temperatures. The relationships hold best for soil samples with relatively low organic carbon contents (< 5%). The optimum temperature for ignition was found to occur at 450°C and resulted in the relationship: Soil organic carbon = 0.284*LOI percent. No advantage is gained through ignition at higher temperatures due to the loss of clay mineral structural water, even if the soil texture is accurately known.     

利用烧失量方法精确测定土壤有机质

Wet oxidation procedure,i.e.,Walkley-Black (WB) method,is a routine,relatively accurate,and popular method for the determination of soil organic matter (SOM) but it is time-consuming,costly and also has a high potential to cause environmental pollution because of disposal of chromium and strong acids used in this analysis.Therefore,loss-on-ignition (LOI) procedure,a simple and cheap method for SOM estimation,which also avoids chromic acid wastes,deserves more attention.The aims of this research were to study the statistical relationships between SOM determined with the LOI (SOMLOI) and WB (SOMWB) methods to compare the spatial variability of SOM in two major plains,Shahrekord and Koohrang plains,of Chaharmahal-va-Bakhtiari Province,Iran.Fifty surface soil samples (0-25 cm) were randomly collected in each plain to determine SOM using the WB method and the LOI procedure at 300,360,400,500 and 550 ℃ for 2 h.The samples covered wide ranges of soil texture and calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE).The general linear form of the regression equation was calculated to estimate SOM LOI from SOM obtained by the WB method for both overall samples and individual plains.Forty soil samples were also randomly selected to compare the SOM and CCE before and after ignition at each temperature.Overall accuracy of the continuous maps generated for the LOI and WB methods was considered to determine the accordance of two procedures.Results showed a significant positive linear relationship between SOM LOI and SOM WB.Coefficients of determination (R2) of the equations for individual plains were higher than that of the overall equation.Coefficients of determination and line slopes decreased and root mean square error (RMSE) increased with increasing ignition temperature,which may be due to the mineral structural water loss and destruction of carbonates at higher temperatures.A temperature around 360 ℃ was identified as optimum as it burnt most organic carbon,destroyed less inorganic carbon,caused less clay structural water loss,and used less electrical energy.Although the trends of SOM in the kriged maps by the two procedures accorded well,low overall accuracy was observed for the maps obtained by the two methods.While not suitable for determination where high accuracy is required,determination of organic carbon through LOI is likely suitable for exploratory soil surveys where rough estimation of organic matter is required.     

Capability of Loss‐on‐Ignition as a Predictor of Total Organic Carbon in Non‐Calcareous Forest Soils

Abstract

Accurate analyses of large numbers of soil samples are needed in order to reduce the uncertainty of carbon inventories. Loss‐on‐ignition (LOI) is still considered the most convenient assessment method, but its accuracy and precision for predicting total organic carbon (TOC) is questioned. However, our estimation of measurement precision for different samples showed comparable relative standard deviations (RSDs) for LOI and TOC determinations. Highest precision was found in forest floor samples (RSD<1.2%) and lowest (RSD 5–10%) in sandy soil samples low in organic matter. Forest floor samples (n=66) and non‐calcareous mineral soil samples (n=654) were used to calibrate and validate predictive equations. Excellent linear relationships were found. For a wide range of soils the bivariate predictive equation TOC=?0.1046 Clay+0.5936 LOI (r²=0.98) was developed and validated. After correction for clay content, slopes averaged remarkably close to the traditional 0.58 conversion factor.     

Loss‐on‐Ignition Method to Assess Soil Organic Carbon in Calcareous Everglades Wetlands

Measurement of soil carbon (C) is important for determining the effects of Everglades restoration projects on C cycling and transformations. Accurate measurement of soil organic C by automated carbon–nitrogen–sulfur (CNS) analysis may be confounded by the presence of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) in Everglades wetlands. The objectives of this study were to compare a loss‐on‐ignition (LOI) method with CNS analysis for assessment of soil C across a diverse group of calcareous Everglades wetlands. More than 3168 samples were taken from three soil depths (floc, 0–10, 10–30 cm) in 14 wetlands and analyzed for LOI, total C, and total calcium (Ca). The LOI method compared favorably to CNS analysis for LOI contents ranging from 0 to 1000 g kg^?1 and for soil total Ca levels from 0 to 500 g Ca kg^?1. For all wetlands and soil depths, LOI was significantly related to total C (r² = 0.957). However, LOI was a better predictor of total C when LOI exceeded 400 g kg^?1 because of less interference by CaCO₃. Total C measurement by CNS analysis was problematic in soils with high total Ca and low LOI, as the presence of CaCO₃ confounded C analysis for LOI less than 400 g kg^?1. Inclusion of total Ca in regression models with LOI significantly improved the prediction of total C. Estimates of total organic C by CNS analysis were obtained by accounting for C associated with CaCO₃ by calculation, with results being similar to total organic C values obtained from LOI analysis. The proportion of C in organic matter measured by the LOI method (51%) was accurate and applicable across wetlands, soil depths, and total Ca levels; thus LOI was a suitable indicator of total organic C in Everglades wetlands.     

Loss‐on‐Ignition in the Determination of Pools of Organic Carbon in Soils of Forests and Afforested Arable Fields

Abstract

Loss‐on‐ignition (LOI) and concentration of organic carbon (Cc) were determined on pristine forest soils and soils from afforested arable fields. The objectives were to investigate the relation between the Cc of soil estimated indirectly from LOI and true Cc from dry combustion (C_LECO) and further to evaluate how the applied analytical method affects the carbon pool estimates. According to results, LOI was a good indicator of Cc in the organic layer. As regards mineral soil, however, C_LECO/LOI ratio significantly decreased with increasing depth, and the ratio changed differently in soils underlying forest sites as opposed to the soils from former fields. The results indicate that estimation of carbon pools from conversion factors would lead to considerable bias and that direct measurement of Cc is preferable to the use of any Cc/LOI ratio. The results also emphasize the need for elimination of carbonate carbon when measuring Cc from the soil of arable fields.     

Transformation of carbonate pedofeatures in paleosols buried under kurgans in the North Caucasus region

Carbonate concentrations in a chronosequence of paleosols buried under kurgans in the North Caucasus region at the end of the 4th century and the first half of the 5th century AD have been studied with the use of a set of morphological and isotopic methods. It is demonstrated that morphologically different phases of calcite—the collomorphic phase and the crystalline phase—in carbonate pedofeatures (calcareous pseudomycelium) and in the calcareous horizon have different elemental compositions and different isotopic compositions of carbon. Hence, these forms of calcite should have different origins. An addition of colloidal carbonates migrating in colloidal solutions from the lower soil horizons to the surface horizons during the periods of climatic aridization to the acicular calcite may be responsible for a sharp and irregular increase in the radiocarbon age of the newly formed carbonate pseudomycelium.     

Influence of Loss‐on‐Ignition Temperature and Heating Time on Ash Content of Compost and Manure

Abstract

Loss‐on‐ignition (LOI) is a simple method for determining ash content, and by reciprocation, organic matter content of compost and manure. However, reported ignition temperatures and heating times for LOI measurements vary widely, and this brings into question the accuracy of one specific combination of ignition temperature and heating time over another. This study examined the effect of 42 temperature‐heating time combinations (six ignition temperatures from 400 to 650°C in 50°C increments by seven heating times of 1, 2, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24‐h) on the ash content of a finished compost and a fresh manure. The experiment included the 550°C for 2‐h method recommended in Test Methods for Evaluation of Compost and Composting. The magnitude of the decrease in ash content due to increase in temperature was not consistent across all heating times. For example, after a 1‐h heating time for compost, ash content was 75.7% at 400°C and 67.5% at 650°C, compared to 69.6% at 400°C and 66.8% at 650°C after 24‐h. Irrespective of heating time, an ignition temperature of 400°C overestimated ash content for both compost and manure compared to the TMECC method. The TMECC method with its moderate temperature and short heating time requirement could reduce energy costs without affecting ash content results.     

Evolution of the carbonate state of agrogenically transformed dark gray forest soils in the central forest-steppe

The integrated study of the carbonate state of soils, which involves all the forms of soil carbonates at different levels of the soil organization, allows exactly assessing the degree and the rate of the soil transformation due to agricultural development. The evolution of the carbonate state in agrogenically transformed soils was assessed on a site with a known land-use history and with remaining natural soils. The direction, rate, and stages of the carbonate state transformation upon the agrogenic use of dark gray forest soils were determined on the basis of the morphogenetic analysis. Agricultural development entails a significant reorganization of the carbonate profile: a dark gray forest soil evolves into a medium-thick slightly podzolic chernozem with a greater pool of carbonates. The calcareous pedofeatures and horizons evolve stepwise: in the soil of a 100-year-old plowland, the transition to another organization of the carbonate state is observed: carbonates migrate more actively, and the dissolution-precipitation conditions are most dynamic. In the upper calcareous horizons, the structure of the calcitic pedofeatures becomes more collomorphic, and this mass fills almost all the voids; in the lower calcareous horizons, calcite is predominantly segregated into calcareous pedofeatures.     

Methods for estimating types of soil organic carbon and their application to surveys of UK urban areas

The occurrence of substantial quantities of black carbon (BC) in urban soil due to local dispersal following incomplete combustion of fossil fuel complicates the determination of labile soil organic carbon (SOC). Estimates of SOC content were made from loss on ignition (LOI) analyses undertaken on samples (0–15 cm depth) from comprehensive soil geochemical surveys of three UK urban areas. We randomly selected 10 samples from each decile of the LOI distribution for each of the surveys of Coventry (n = 808), Stoke‐on‐Trent (n = 737) and Glasgow (n = 1382) to investigate the proportions of labile SOC and BC. We determined their total organic carbon (TOC) and BC contents, and by difference the labile SOC content, and investigated the linear relationship of the latter with SOC estimates based on LOI analyses. There was no evidence for a difference in the slope of the regression for the three urban areas. We then used a linear regression of labile SOC based on LOI analyses (r² = 0.81) to predict labile SOC for all survey samples from the three urban areas. We attribute the significantly higher median BC concentrations in Glasgow (1.77%, compared with 0.46 and 0.59% in Coventry and Stoke‐on‐Trent) to greater dispersal of coal ash across the former. An analysis of the 30 samples showed that LOI at 450 °C accounts for a consistent proportion of BC in each sample (r² = 0.97). Differences between TOC (combustion at 1050 °C after removal of inorganic carbon) and an LOI estimate of SOC may be a cost‐effective method for estimation of BC. Previous approaches to estimation of urban SOC contents based on half the mean SOC content of the equivalent associations under pasture, underestimate the empirical mean value.     

A Comparative Study of the Use of Organic Carbon and Loss on Ignition in Defining Tropical Organic Soil Materials

Organic soils or Histosols or peats as they are commonly referred to, are characterized by the presence of large amounts of organic soil materials (OSM), which is commonly quantified by the Walkley and Black (1934) (WB) method to determine the soil organic matter (SOM) using a correction factor of 1.724. SOM of Histosols is also identified through a combustion (loss on ignition, LOI) or elemental C-analysis (with a carbon-nitrogen-sulfur (CNS) analyzer with combustion and gas density detector). These methods were established using temperate and boreal peat deposits and here we demonstrate that tropical peat deposits require a modified approach. Typical SE-Asian tropical lowland peat pedons from rain forest and oil palm settings were sampled and the material analysed using a CNS analyzer, WB-C and LOI. The ratios for LOI:CNS-C for the 20 samples yielded values between 2.00–3.09 with a mean of 2.50 while the LOI:WB-C ratio yielded values from 1.75 to 2.58 with a mean of 1.94. A comparison of these values for topsoils and subsoils showed mean ratios (LOI:WB-C) of 1.94 and 1.89 for topsoils and subsoils, respectively. The forest samples had higher LOI:WB-C ratios than the subsoils from oil palm settings (1.94 vs 1.84). These values suggest that the standard factor of 1.724 to correct OSM to SOM for tropical soils is untenable. The values to convert CNS and WB-C values of tropical topsoils/subsoils to SOM or LOI should be 2.5 or 1.9, respectively. Our results indicate a significant difference in the soil organic carbon (SOC) of tropical lowland peats depending on the method used.     

Retention of copper by a calcareous soil and its textural fractions: influence of amendment with two agroindustrial residues

Metal availability in soils is strongly related with sorption processes and the possible association of the metal ions with a particular particle-size fraction. Therefore, studies of metal retention by a soil will be aided if retention by different size fractions is also studied. Sorption of copper on a calcareous soil and its textural fractions was studied in batch assays. The soil was amended over 3 years with two agroindustrial residues, a composted olive mill sludge and vinasse. Sorption of Cu on the calcareous soil was very large (110 mmol kg⁻¹) and was enhanced by both amendments. Metal retention by the clay fraction of the unamended soil was less than that of the whole soil, but increased dramatically after amendment with olive mill sludge. This was caused by the larger calcite content in this fraction as well as the increase in organic matter content. The amount of Cu sorbed was very large in the silt fraction, again because of the carbonate content of this fraction (300–460 g kg⁻¹). Copper sorption decreased dramatically after removal of carbonate. Copper retention tended to be enhanced by organic amendments. This was particularly evident in the silt fraction, as a consequence of the organic matter accumulation in this fraction.
Copper sorption on the calcareous soil and its silt fractions (unamended and amended) was irreversible. By contrast, desorption was measurable from all the carbonate-free samples (both whole soil and textural fractions), although in all cases a large hysteresis was observed. We conclude that carbonate was the main component responsible for the lack of reversibility.     

Density fractionation of organic matter in dolomite‐derived soils

Dolomite (CaMg(CO₃)₂) constitutes half of the global carbonates. Thus, many calcareous soils have been developing rather from dolomitic rocks than from calcite (CaCO₃)‐dominated limestone. We developed a physical fractionation procedure based on three fractionation steps, using sonication with subsequent density fractionation to separate soil organic matter (SOM) from dolomite‐derived soil constituents. The method avoids acidic pretreatment for destruction of carbonates but aims at separating out carbonate minerals according to density. The fractionation was tested on three soils developed on dolostone parent material (alluvial gravel and solid rock), differing in organic‐C (OC) and inorganic‐C (IC) concentrations and degree of carbonate weathering. Soil samples were suspended and centrifuged in Na‐polytungstate (SPT) solutions of increasing density, resulting in five different fractions: two light fractions < 1.8 g cm^–3 (> 20 μm and < 20 μm), rich in OC and free of carbonate, and two organomineral fractions (1.8–2.4 g cm^–3 and 2.4–2.6 g cm^–3), containing 66–145 mg g^–1 and 16–29 mg g^–1 OC. The organomineral fractions consist of residual clay from carbonate weathering such as clay minerals and iron oxides associated with SOM. The fifth fraction (> 2.6 g cm^–3) was dominated by dolomite (85%–95%). The density separation yielded fractions differing in mineral compositions, as well as in SOM, indicated by soil‐type‐specific OC distributions and decreasing OC : N ratios with increasing density of fractions. The presented method is applicable to a wide range of dolomitic and most likely to all other calcareous soils.     

Effect of green manuring (Sesbania aculeata) on zinc equilibria in submerged calcareous and non-calcareous soils

Summary A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of green manuring (Sesbania aculeata) on pH, electrical conductivity (EC), Zn concentration and ZN equilibria in a calcareous and a non-calcareous soil under submerged conditions. The soil solutions were drawn anaerobically by gravity and analysed for pH, EC and Zn. Green manuring lowered the pH and increased the EC throughout submergence compared with the untreated control. The effect of green manuring was more pronounced in non-calcareous soil. The concentration of water-soluble Zn under submergence alone continued to decline up to the end of the experiment in both soils. But Zn concentration in green manure-amended soil was lower during the initial stages and higher in the later stages in comparison with the unamended soil. Zn potential values in the case of submergence alone were within the range of the ZnCo₃-Zn²⁺ (aq) system up to 1 week and 4 weeks for non-calcareous and calcareous soil, respectively. Thereafter they shifted to those of the Zn-soil (unknown solid phases)-Zn²⁺ (aq) system. Under green manuring the values were within the range of the latter system throughout the experiment.     

评估烧失量测定法测定中国西北干旱土壤有机和无机碳的研究

There is a need for determinations of soil organic carbon (SOC) and inorganic carbon (SIC) due to increasing interest in soil carbon sequestration. Two sets of soil samples were collected separately from the Yanqi Basin of northwest China to evaluate loss-on-ignition (LOI) method for estimating SOC and SIC in arid soils through determining SOC using an element analyzer, a modified Walkley-Black method and a LOI method with combustion at 375℃ for 17 h and determining SIC using a pressure calcimeter method and a LOI procedure estimated by a weight loss between 375 to 800℃. Our results indicated that the Walkley-Black method provided 99%recovery of SOC for the arid soils tested. There were strong linear relationships(r > 0.93, P < 0.001) for both SOC and SIC between the traditional method and the LOI technique. One set of soil samples was used to develop relationships between LOI and SOC(by the Walkley-Black method), and between LOI and SIC(by the pressure calcimeter method), and the other set of soil samples was used to evaluate the derived equations by comparing predicted SOC and SIC with measured values. The mean absolute errors were small for both SOC (1.7 g C kg-1) and SIC(1.22 g C kg-1), demonstrating that the LOI method was reliable and could provide accurate estimates of SOC and SIC for arid soils.     

Measurement of organic and inorganic carbon in dolomite‐containing samples

It is still open to question which method is the best for quantifying organic carbon (OC) and inorganic carbon (IC) in soils containing dolomite. The aims of this study were (1) to compare the accuracy of a novel thermal gradient (ThG), the classical calcimeter (CALC) and the loss‐on‐ignition (LOI) methods on a reference sample set with known proportions of OC present as soil organic matter (SOM) and IC present as dolomite and (2) to compare the results of the different methods on a set of soil samples with different dolomite and SOM contents. The CALC and LOI methods rely on separate quantification or removal of IC by acid or heat, whereas IC and OC can be quantified in a single run by the ThG analysis. The ThG method was the most accurate method for the reference sample set, especially when dolomite contents were high. On the soil sample set, the ThG and CALC methods performed equally well, but only when two outliers were eliminated. The LOI method was not satisfactory for either sample set. Overall, ThG was the most reliable method for measuring IC and OC in dolomite‐containing samples over a wide range of concentrations, but the more widely used CALC method was also acceptable.     

土壤碳酸盐间接测定方法研究及其应用

通过添加CaCO3内标法及与中和滴定法进行比较,提出了采用C/N分析仪测定的土壤总C量与重铬酸钾氧化法测定的有机C量差值估算土壤碳酸盐含量的方法。采用该方法对广西环江县喀斯特低山区石灰岩发育的土壤和湖南沅江平原湖区湖积物形成的土壤的碳酸盐含量进行了分析。结果表明,石灰岩发育的土壤,林地、旱地和稻田含碳酸盐的土样占总土样数的比例依次为50.0%、43.7%和2.1%,其土壤碳酸盐平均含量分别为134、15.7和37.1g/kg。湖积物形成的土壤,新垦旱地、熟化旱地和稻田土样100%含碳酸盐,其土壤碳酸盐平均含量分别为73.3、46.6和37.7g/kg。成土母质和土地利用方式对土壤碳酸盐含量有明显的影响。     

Analyzing the Relation between Loss-on-Ignition and Other Methods of Soil Organic Carbon Determination in a Tropical Cloud Forest (Mexico)

The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between soil organic carbon content, determined by dry combustion (%OC_LECO) and the Walkley–Black method (%OC_WB), and loss on ignition (LOI). Soil samples were collected from noncalcareous O and A1 horizons within a tropical cloud forest. Linear regression equations were developed to estimate organic carbon from LOI. The applicability of the predictive equations was evaluated by comparison of measured and predicted organic carbon data for independent soil samples. The results showed that the LOI method produced a better linear relationship with the %OC_LECO (R ² = 0.96, P < 0.001) than with the %OC_WB (R ² = 0.88, P <0.001) method. These results also showed that %OC_WB and %OC_LECO prediction equations underestimate and overestimate soil organic carbon by 0.74% and 0.56%, respectively. This study suggests that LOI may be a good estimator of soil organic carbon for noncalcareous O and A1 horizons in a tropical cloud forest.     

褐煤腐殖酸对不同土壤上小麦生长的影响

Humic acid(HA),a fairly stable product of decomposed organic matter that consequently accumulates in ecological systems,enhances plant growth by chelating unavailable nutrients and buffering pH.We examined the effect of HA derived from lignite on growth and macronutrient uptake of wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) grown in earthen pots under greenhouse conditions.The soils used in the pot experiment were a calcareous Haplustalf and a non-calcareous Haplustalf collected from Raisalpur and Guliana,respectively,in Punjab Province,Pakistan.The experiment consisted of four treatments with HA levels of 0(control without HA),30,60,and 90 mg kg -1 soil designated as HA 0,HA 1,HA 2,and HA 3,respectively.In the treatment without HA(HA 0),nitrogen(N),phosphorus(P),and potassium(K) were applied at 200,100,and 125 mg kg -1 soil,respectively.Significant differences among HA levels were recorded for wheat growth(plant height and shoot weight) and N uptake.On an average of both soils,the largest increases in plant height and shoot fresh and dry weights were found with HA 2(60 mg kg -1 soil),being 10%,25%,and 18%,respectively,as compared to the control without HA(HA 0).Both soils responded positively towards HA application.The wheat growth and N uptake in the non-calcareous soil were higher than those of the calcareous soil.The HA application significantly improved K concentration of the non-calcareous soil and P and NO 3-N of the calcareous soil.The highest rate of HA(90 mg kg -1 soil) had a negative effect on growth and nutrient uptake of wheat as well as nutrient accumulation in soil,whereas the medium dose of HA(60 mg kg -1 soil) was more efficient in promoting wheat growth.