Development of a New Soil Extractant for Simultaneous Phosphorus,Ammonium, and Nitrate Analysis

Abstract

A new soil extractant (H³A) with the ability to extract NH₄, NO₃, and P from soil was developed and tested against 32 soils, which varied greatly in clay content, organic carbon (C), and soil pH. The extractant (H³A) eliminates the need for separate phosphorus (P) extractants for acid and calcareous soils and maintains the extract pH, on average, within one unit of the soil pH. The extractant is composed of organic root exudates, lithium citrate, and two synthetic chelators (DTPA, EDTA). The new soil extractant was tested against Mehlich 3, Olsen, and water for extractable P, and 1 M KCl and water‐extractable NH₄ and NO₂/NO₃. The pH of the extractant after adding soil, shaking, and filtration was measured for each soil sample (5 extractants×2 reps×32 soils=320 samples) and was shown to be highly influential on extractable P but has no effect on extractable NH₄ or NO₂/NO₃. H³A was highly correlated with soil‐extractable inorganic N (NH₄, NO₂/NO₃) from both water (r=0.98) and 1 M KCl (r=0.97), as well as being significantly correlated with water (r=0.71), Mehlich 3 (r=0.83), and Olsen (r=0.84) for extractable P.     

提取剂和土水比对旱耕地土壤无机和有机磷的提取效应

比较了O lsen(0.5 mol L-1NaHCO3)和B ray-1(0.03 mol L-1NH4F-0.025 mol L-1HC l)提取剂土水比1∶4和1∶20(W/V),对我国5种类型旱耕地土壤(pHKC l3.3~7.4)无机磷(Pi)和有机磷(Po)及外加正磷酸盐态无机磷的提取效应。结果表明,以O lsen提取剂土水比1∶20对土壤Pi和Po的提取效果最佳,其测定结果是评价土壤磷素供应能力(有效磷)和活性有机磷含量较为适宜的指标。测定的土壤大多数(占60%)磷素供应能力较差(O lsen-Pi为4.2~14.0mg kg-1),应适当加强其磷素的投入。测定的土壤活性有机磷(O lsen-PO)含量为1.4~37.9 mg kg-1,占土壤全磷的0.2%~15.8%,大多数(75%)土壤占1%~6%。采用O lsen提取剂时土壤外加Pi的固定率随土水比减小而增高,当土水比1∶4提取时,酸性和强酸性(pHKC l3.3~5.5)土壤对外加Pi的固定率达40%~86%,据此推测实际田间条件下土壤对外加Pi的固定率更大。表明酸性和强酸性旱耕地土壤对外加Pi具有强烈的固定作用。     

Ultrasound Method for Extraction of Phosphorus in Soil

In the present work, an ultrasoundic procedure for the extraction of phosphorus (P) available in soil is described. The proposed method is based on extraction by 0.5 M sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), following with sonication under different conditions. Phosphorus was determined by the Murphy and Riley method. Sonication time and soil–extractant relative quantities were optimized. A statistical analysis approach was used to find suitable conditions for the ultrasoundic extraction. The main advantages of the sonication method are the reduced times of extractions, which take 10 min in contrast to the 30 min required by a shaking method, and the possibility to reduce soil and extractant quantities from 5 g–100 mL to 2 g–40 mL. Performance of the method was evaluated, and the procedure was utilized to analyze soils from Santiago del Estero, Argentina.     

Factors affecting DTPA‐extractable Zn,Fe, Mn,and Cu from soils

Abstract

Tests were made to determine the effects of grinding, type of extraction vessel, type of shaker, speed of shaking, time of shaking, time of filtering, soil to solution ratio and other variables on DTPA‐extractable Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu from soils.

Time of grinding, force of grinding, and the quantity of soil being ground greatly affected the amount of extractable Fe. At the lower grinding force, the quantity of soil being ground only slightly affected extractable Fe, but at the higher grinding force, more Fe was extracted from the smaller sized samples especially at the longer grinding period. Extractable Zn was also increased by longer grinding time and greater grinding force, but increases were much less than increases for Fe. Increasing grinding time tended to increase extractable Mn. The effects of grinding on Cu was inconclusive. Increasing the ratio of extractant to soil increased the amount of extractable Fe from soils and tended to increase Zn, Mn, and Cu but to a lesser extent. Both shaker speed and type of extracting vessel affected the ex‐tractability of all nutrients except Cu. Greatest differences between extracting vessels occurred at the lowest shaker speed, while these differences were smaller or disappeared at the higher shaker speeds. The more thorough the mixing of soil and extracting solution, the higher were the levels of extractable Fe and Mn. A reciprocal shaker extracted more Fe and Mn from soils than a rotary shaker. The rate of dissolution of all four nutrients by DTPA was greatest during the first 5 minutes of extraction. There were large and significant correlation coefficients between levels of nutrients extracted after 15 or 30 minutes of shaking and those extracted after 120 minutes. The findings indicate that the levels of micronutrients extracted under one set of conditions can be related to levels extracted under other conditions by use of a simple linear regression equation for each nutrient.

The results of this study demonstrate the importance of standardizing the methods of preparation and extraction of soils used in the DTPA micronutrient soil test. A standard method for soil grinding and extraction is proposed for DTPA soil test.     

Effect of Grinding on Soil Extraction by Aqua Regia, 2 M Nitric Acid,and Mehlich 3

Abstract

The effect of grinding on soil extraction was determined for two soil fractions and three extractants. Arsenic (As), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) were extracted by aqua regia and 2 M nitric acid. Mehlich 3 extractant was used for determination of potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), and aluminum (Al). One hundred forty‐seven agricultural soil samples representing all major soil types, climatic regions, and proportions of agronomic cultures in the Czech Republic were collected for the study. Particle size fractions smaller than 2 mm and smaller than 0.150 mm were chosen for investigation. Extraction of elements by aqua regia was similar for both size fractions of soil. Cold 2 M nitric acid is a weaker extractant than aqua regia, and a statistically significant increase in extractable Be (5%), Cd (6%), Co (11%), Cu (5%), Ni (5%), and V (2%) was measured with the finely ground soils. An increase for the finer fraction for K (10%) and Mn (25%) was found for Mehlich 3. A more complex nonlinear relationship was found for Mehlich 3 extractable Al and Fe. This was probably caused by a more intensive re‐adsorption of Fe and Al to the finely ground soils.     

Manure Phosphorus Fractions: Development of Analytical Methods and Variation with Manure Types

Abstract

Manure phosphorus (P) extraction and storage procedures were evaluated, and manure types were characterized for extractable P. The objectives of this research were to evaluate manure P extraction and sample storage procedures and to characterize manure types for water‐extractable P (WEP) and NaHCO₃ P (BiEP). Manure P was extracted at dry matter–to–water extraction ratios of 0.5 g/200 mL, 2 g/200 mL, 2 g/20 mL, and 20 g/200 mL. Shaking times of 0.5 h, 1 h, or 2 h were evaluated along with filter paper types (Whatman No. 42, Whatman No. 40, and 0.45‐µm). Single or sequential extractions and repeated extractions with water or NaHCO₃ were also compared on various manure sources. Manure types were treated as replications in the analysis of variance to reduce the probability of making a Type I error in applying the results to diverse manure types. Dry matter–to–water extraction ratios more concentrated than 1 g/100 mL removed less P than extraction at 1 g/200 mL, which removed a similar percentage of total P (TP) as 0.5 g/200 mL ratio. A single extraction with a 1 g/200 mL or more dilute ratio with 1 h of shaking time was found to give a good estimate of extractible P. Extracted manure P was similar for three sequential extractions of 1 g/100 mL dilution ratio compared to one extraction with 1 g/300 mL. Filter paper type did not affect the amount of P extracted. Phosphorus extraction was more consistent with samples stored dry as compared to refrigerated or frozen conditions. Extractible P in swine manure, as a percentage of TP, was more than for other manure types.     

Organic matter extracted with 0.01 M CaCl2 or with 0.01 M NaHCO3 as indices of N mineralisation and microbial biomass

A pot experiment was carried out with three soils at ambient temperature in which temporal changes in fractions of soil organic matter that were extractable with either 0.01 M CaCl₂ or 0.01 M NaHCO₃ were compared with changes in N mineralisation and microbial biomass C. UV spectral analysis of soil extracts was also carried out on sub-samples taken at the beginning of the experiment. The objective was to quantify the fractions of extractable soil organic matter and determine whether these could be used to estimate the mineralisable organic N content of the soils. The results suggested that part of the NaHCO₃-extractable organic matter originated in the microbial biomass but that non-biomass material was also present. The non-biomass material was not identified directly, but was composed of compounds with high UV absorbance. In the case of CaCl₂, the results suggested that extracellular proteins were contained in the extract and that some material released from the actively growing microbial biomass may also have been present. A supplementary study with 16 soils was carried out to determine the ability of the organic matter solubilised by either extractant to predict soil N uptake by barley seedlings. A significant relationship (P<0.01) was found between N uptake and CaCl₂-extractable material only.     

Optimization of DTPA and calcium chloride extractants for assessing extractable metal fraction in polluted soils

Abstract

Metal availability in soils is often assessed by means of extraction with chemical solutions, among others the chelating agent DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) and the non‐buffered salt calcium chloride (CaCl₂). The same procedures are used for polluted soils that were originally created to assess the nutrient status of arable soils. We studied the influence of various parameters (type of shaker, shaking time, soil to solution ratio, and concentration of chemical extractant) and modify the DTPA and CaCl₂ extraction procedures to make them suitable for the study of polluted soils. The chosen extraction ratio and extractant concentration were the followings: 8 g/20 mL of 0.1 MCaCl₂ and 2 g/20 mL of 0.005 M DTPA. The optimized procedures were applied to nine soil samples affected by different sources of pollution (mine works, vehicle emissions, and various industries). Cadmium (Cd) showed the highest extractability with both extractants. Depending on the soil, copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) (using DPTA) and Cu and manganese (Mn) (using CaCl₂) were the followings in the extractable amounts. Cadmium, Cu, and Zn were highly correlated in both extractions and with total contents.     

Experimental Evaluation of Procedures to Quantify Carbohydrate Carbon in Some Calcareous Soils

Carbohydrates are an important component of soil organic matter, and a method is needed to quantify them, which would be efficient in terms of time and cost. Different extractants and methods were examined in this work for their efficiency to extract carbohydrate C from four calcareous soils. Four extractants (distilled water, 0.5 M potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄), and 0.25 and 0.5 M sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄)) and three incubation methods (shaking for 16 h, heating in an oven (85 °C) for 16 h, and heating in a water bath (85 °C) for 2.5 h) were compared. The results show that significantly more carbohydrate C was extracted from all four soils with oven and water bath heating of the soil–extractant suspensions than with shaking them at room temperature. The efficiency of the extractants decreased in this order: 0.5 M H₂SO₄ > 0.25 M H₂SO₄ > 0.5 M K₂SO₄. The combination of the heated–water bath incubation method with 0.5 M H₂SO₄ as extractant was the most efficient method.     

Optimum conditions for extraction of Al,Fe, and Si from soils with acid oxalate

Abstract

Acid oxalate reagent was used at various concentrations, pH values, shaking times, and soil to solution ratios to find the optimum conditions for the extraction of Al, Fe, and Si from short‐range‐order materials in soils and stream‐bed deposits. The optimum conditions vary with the nature of the soil sample and its components. For most soils maximum amounts of Al, Fe, and Si were extracted with 0.15M acid oxalate reagent at pH 3.0 with a soil to solution ratio of 1:100 and shaking for 4 h in the dark at 20°C. Soils with more than 5% oxalate‐extractable Al or Fe require a 0.20M oxalate solution at pH 3.0 with a soil to solution ratio of 1:200.

Allophane is extracted by acid oxalate reagent after shaking for 2 h and it may be estimated from the 4 h oxalate‐extractable Si values. Ferrihydrite is extracted after shaking for 4 h, and it may be estimated from the oxalate‐extractable Fe values. Either sodium oxalate or ammonium oxalate may be used     

Extraction of soil phosphorus with calcium chloride solution for prediction of plant availability

Abstract

Soil and vegetative samples of ley and cereals were collected four times during the growing season from field and pot trials with different phosphorus (P) fertilisation levels. The soil samples, dried and of field moisture condition, respectively, were extracted by 0.01M calcium chloride (CaCl₂) at two different soil:extractant ratios (1:2 and 1:10), and analysed by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP) for content of P. The plant samples were digested in concentrated nitric acid (HNO₃) and the P content determined by ICP. Calcium chloride‐extractable P content was lowest in the middle of the growing season, while plant P was highest in the beginning of the season. Phosphorus extracted by CaCl₂ solution was higher at a soil:extractant ratio of 1:10 than at 1:2, and also when drying the soil before extraction. A soil:extractant ratio of 1:2 minimizes the risk of coming too near the limit of determination. However, if organic soils are also to be included, a ratio of 1:10 has to be used in order not to have all the solution absorbed by some types of soils. The solution of ammonium lactate/acetic acid (AL) extracted nearly two powers of ten more P than CaCl₂ solution. There was a good relationship between the methods. If calcareous or very acid soils had been included, a less good relation would have been expected. Plant P content varied more in straw than in grain between different treatments. Measuring CaCl₂‐extractable P with ICP might be able to predict plant uptake of P by plants. This would be a great advantage when using 0.01M CaCl₂ as a universal extradant.     

Evaluation of Agro Services International Soil Test Method for Phosphorus and Potassium

Soil testing is widely adopted as an essential diagnostic tool for identifying soil nutrient factors that limit sustained crop production. A systematic approach for rapid soil testing and fertilizer recommendation has been introduced and widely used in China by Agro Services International (ASI), USA. To verify the usefulness and reliability of the ASI method in soil testing and fertilizer recommendation in comparison with other commonly used traditional soil testing methods, 294 soil samples from major agricultural regions and soil types in China with a wide range of soil pH, from 5.1 to 8.9, were taken and analyzed for available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) by the ASI multielement extraction solution and selected traditional methods, Olsen extractant for P, ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) extractant for K, and multielement extractant Mehlich 3 for P and K. Also, 46 soils were selected from northern China regions for a greenhouse trial with sorghum seedlings to determine if the soil testing values correlate well with plant response. Results indicated that the amount of soil P extracted by the ASI method (ASI P) was correlated to both soil extractable P tested by the Olsen extractant (Olsen P) and Mehlich 3 extractant (Mehlich 3 P). The correlation coefficient of ASI P with Mehlich 3 P (R² = 0.86) was greater than that of ASI P with Olsen P (R² = 0.74) across all selected soils. A good correlation was also found between the exchangeable K from the ASI method with the traditional ammonium acetate method (R² = 0.81) and the Mehlich 3 method (R² = 0.85). The results from the greenhouse trial showed that the extractable P and exchangeable K by the ASI multielement extraction solution could be used to represent the fertility status of soil P and K for the selected soils. Regression analysis indicated that the relative dry-matter yield of the sorghum plants can be predicted with either ASI P and ASI K values with the correlation coefficients (R²) values of 0.78 and 0.72 respectively and could be a good measure for soil testing and fertilizer recommendation in the selected soils and regions in China.     

Comparison of Mehlich-3 and Ammonium Bicarbonate-DTPA for the Extraction of Phosphorus and Potassium in Calcareous Soils from Florida

Developing a fast and reliable soil testing method is critical for improving soil testing efficiency and ensuring reliable fertilizer recommendation. The objectives of this study were to evaluate Mehlich-3 (M-3) as a replacement for ammonium bicarbonate-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (AB-DTPA) to extract phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) and to determinate the relationships between extractable P and K and their uptakes by crop in calcareous soils. M-3 and AB-DTPA were compared by using two approaches. In the first approach, the amounts of extracted P and K were compared by analyzing soil samples collected from agricultural production areas; in the second approach, snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were grown in pot to determine the P and K uptakes by crop. There were significant correlations between M-3 and AB-DTPA for both soil test P and K based on soils collected from the agricultural field and the pot study. Soil test P and K by both extractants were significantly correlated with their uptakes by snap bean. The critical value of M-3-P regarding snap bean uptake was 47 mg kg^?1 and was higher than that (18 mg kg^?1) for AB-DTPA-P, whereas critical soil test K levels were similar between M-3 and AB-DTPA. M-3 was identified as an alternate improved extraction method instead of AB-DTPA in calcareous soils based on this study. However, more work will be needed to identify the correlation of the two extractants and crop responses under a field condition.     

Soil testing in the united states

Abstract

There has been a marked change in the soil testing procedures used in the United States by state soil testing laboratories since the early 1950's. In the Coastal Plain states of the south and east, the Double Acid extraction procedure is used for P, K, Ca, and Mg determinations. Bray P₁ is the most frequently used method for P extraction except for the alkaline soils of the west where the Olsen method is used. Neutral normal ammonium acetate is the most frequently used extractant for K, Ca, and Mg determinations. The Morgan extraction procedures for P, K, Ca, and Mg, commonly used in the 1950's, is used by only a few states in the northeast and west. Although similar extraction reagents are used in many sections of the United States, there is considerable variance among states regarding weighed versus volume sampling, soil to solution ratio, shaking speed and time, and extraction vessel size and shape. For soil water pH, there is little variance in method as most states are using a 1:1 soil to solution ratio. The only exception is in several western states where water pH's are read in a saturated soil paste.

Considerable efforts are underway to standardize the techniques used to test soils primarily for the extractable elements.     

Comparing tests for soil fertility: 1. Conversion equations between olsen and mehlich 3 as phosphorus extractants for 120 soils of south italy

Abstract

The multiple‐element extractant Mehlich 3 (M3) has not been tested extensively in Europe. In this Land, soil‐P test recommendations are based, since decades, on the evaluation of the Olsen‐extractable P, and the optimal soil‐P levels have been established to range between 1.5 and 3.0 mg of Olsen‐P per 100 g of soil. A research programme was started in order to assess the suitability of M3 as routine soil‐P test in European laboratories. As a first approach, we develop conversion equations from Olsen‐P to M3‐P, in order to assess the agreement and the consistency of the measurements under a wide range of chemical and physical soil properties. To this aim, 120 samples with drastically contrasting features were selected within 206 soils collected from all the regions of South Italy. Soil‐P ranges were 0.07–60.53 for M3, and 0.08–21.47 mg/100 g for Olsen. The results showed that M3‐P was a P extractant more efficient than Olsen. The amounts of M3‐P were, on the average, twice as large as the Olsen‐P ones, with mean values of 5.70 and 2.75 mg/100g, respectively. The soil properties exerted a great influence, as well as showed a contrasting effect, on the extraction efficiency of each method. For neutral‐alkaline calcareous soils, the average M3‐P/Olsen‐P ratio increased to 2.52, and the efficiency of M3 poorly varied according to soil pH and CaCO₃ content. On the contrary, in CaCO₃‐free acidic soils, the M3‐P/Olsen‐P ratio decreased to 1.63. In particular, anomalous ratio values less than 1.0 were observed for acidic soils with high content of organo‐mineral complexes with be shifted to 3.7–7.7 for calcareous soils, and to 2.7–4.9 for CaCO₃‐free soils. Field calibrations would give more information to establish the proper values according to either the soil properties and plant requirements. The results encourage the introduction of M3 as routine soil‐P test in our Countries. One must take into account, however, that some soil properties, in particular the CaCO₃ content, migth be considered for a more precise comparative evaluation with existing laboratory data.     

Effects of heavy metal accumulation in apple orchard soils on microbial biomass and microbial activities

Abstract

The effects of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, and As) accumulated in apple orchard surface soils on the microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activity, and soil respiration were investigated. The largest concentrations of total Cu, Pb, and As found in the soils used were 1,010, 926, and 166 mg kg^?1 soil, respectively. The amounts of microbial biomass C and N, expressed on a soil organic C and soil total N basis, respectively, were each negatively correlated with the amounts of total, 0.1 M HCI-extractable, and 0.1 M CaCl₂-extractable Cu as logarithmic functions, the correlation coefficient being lowest for the 0.1 M CaCl₂extractable Cu. Nevertheless, they were not correlated with the soil pH which was controlling the solubility of Cu in 0.1 M CaCl₂. The dehydrogenase activity expressed per unit of soil organic C was also negatively correlated with the amounts of total, 0.1 M HCI-extractable Cu, and 0.1 M CaCl₂-extractable Cu as logarithmic functions. However, the correlation coefficient was highest for the 0.1 M CaCl₂-extractable Cu. Although the soil respiration per unit of soil total organic C did not show any significant correlations with the total concentrations of heavy metals, it showed negative significant correlations with the amount of 0.1 M HCI-extractable Cu, and to a greater extent, with the amount of 0.1 M CaCl₂-extractable Cu. Both the dehydrogenase activity and respiration per unit of soil total organic C increased significantly with increasing soil pH. These results suggested that in apple orchard soils with heavy metal accumulation the microbial biomass was adversely affected by the slightly soluble Cu, whereas the microbial activities by the readily soluble Cu whose amount depended on the soil pH. The respiration per unit of microbial biomass C showed a positive significant correlation with the logarithmic concentration of total Cu. Furthermore, the contribution of fungi to substrate-induced respiration increased with increasing total Cu content in the soils.     

Comparison of mehlich 1 and mehlich 3 extractants for P,K, Ca,Mg, Mn,Cu and Zn in atlantic coastal plain soils

Abstract

The Mehlich 3 (M3) extractant was introduced in 1981 to improve the efficiency of soil testing laboratories by eliminating the need for multiple extractants for P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu and Zn. The M3 was also intended to be suitable for a wide range of soils, perhaps to serve as a “universal”; soil test extractant. At present, regional soil testing committees throughout the U.S. are investigating the M3 in this regard.

Development of a field calibration data base for a new soil testing extractant is an essential, but expensive and time‐consuming process. An interim measure is the use of conversion equations between new and current extractant(s). These equations allow for use of the new extractant with existing field calibration data. The objectives of this study were (i) to develop conversion equations for the Mehlich 1 (M1) and M3 extractants for Atlantic Coastal Plain soils, and (ii) to determine the influence of soil pH and organic matter content on the relative extractability of P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn and Zn by Ml and M3.

Four hundred soil samples, obtained from field plots and commercial crop samples submitted to the University of Delaware Soil Testing Laboratory were analyzed for P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu and Zn by M1 and M3. Highly significant correlations between M3 and M1 were found for all nutrients (r=0.92*** to 0.97***) and, except for Cu and Mn, soil pH and OM did not markedly improve the linear regression equations developed for conversion between M3 and M1. Inclusion of OM in a multiple regression equation between M3 and M1 extractable Cu increased R² from 0.46** to 0.71***; R² for Mn+(pH+OM) was 0.48***, relative to 0.35*** for extractable Mn alone. Critical values for M3 P, K, Ca, and Mg, based on conversion equations restricted to soils testing less than high with the M1 extractant, were 41, 49, 295 and 45 mg.dm^‐3, respectively. For Mn and Zn, at a pH of 6.2, M3 critical values were 9.5 and 0.6 mg.dm^‐3, while for Cu, the M3 critical value ranged from 0.5 to 1.1 mgdm^‐3 for soil OM of 2 to 8%.     

Comparison of mehlich 3, mehlich 1, ammonium bicarbonate‐DTPA, 1.0M ammonium acetate,and 0.2M ammonium chloride for extraction of calcium,magnesium, phosphorus,and potassium for a wide range of soils

Abstract

Extractants employed for routine soil analysis vary from one laboratory to another. Lack of a universal soil extractant is a serious limitation for interpretation of analytical results from various laboratories on nutritional status of a given soil. This limitation can be overcome by developing functional relationships for concentrations of a given nutrient extractable by various extradants. In this study, extractability of Ca, Mg, P, and K in a wide range of soils (0–15 cm) from citrus groves in Florida representing 21 soil series, with varying cultural operations, were compared using Mehlich 3 (M3), Mehlich 1 (M1), ammonium acetate (NH₄AOc), pH = 7.0 (AA), 0.2M ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl), and ammonium bicarbonate‐DTPA (AB‐DTPA) extractants. Soil pH (0.01M CaCl₂) varied from 3.57 to 7.28. The concentrations of Ca or Mg extractable by M3, M1, AA, and NH₄Cl were strongly correlated with soil pH (r² = 0.381–0.482). Weak but significant correlations were also found between AB‐DTPA extractable Ca or Mg and soil pH (r² = 0.235–0.278). Soil pH relationships with extractable K were rather weak (r² = < 0.131) for M1 and NH₄Cl but non‐significant for M3, AB‐DTPA, and AA. Concentrations of Ca, Mg, and K extractable by M3 were significantly correlated with those by either M1, AA, or NH₄Cl extractants. Mehlich 3‐P was significantly correlated with P extractable by M1 extractant only. Mehlich 3 versus AB‐DTPA relationship was strong for K (r² = 0.964), weaker for Mg and P (r² = 0.180–0.319), and non‐significant for Ca. With the increasing emphasis on possible use of M3 as an universal soil extractant, data from this study support the hypothesis that M3 can be adapted as a suitable extractant for routine soil analysis.     

Organic amendments differ in their effect on microbial biomass and activity and on P pools in alkaline soils

Organic amendments could be used as alternative to inorganic P fertilisers, but a clear understanding of the relationship among type of P amendment, microbial activity and changes in soil P fractions is required to optimise their use. Two P-deficient soils were amended with farmyard manure (FYM), poultry litter (PL) and biogenic waste compost (BWC) at 10 g?dw?kg^?1 soil and incubated for 72 days. Soil samples were collected at days 0, 14, 28, 56 and 72 and analysed for microbial biomass C, N and P, 0.5 M NaHCO₃ extractable P and activity of dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphomonoesterase. Soil P fractions were sequentially extracted in soil samples collected at days 0 and 72. All three amendments increased cumulative CO₂ release, microbial biomass C, N and P and activity of dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphomonoesterase compared to unamended soils. The increase in microbial biomass C and N was highest with PL, whereas the greatest increase in microbial biomass P was induced with FYM. All three biomass indices showed the same temporal pattern, with the highest values on day 14 and the lowest on day 72. All amendments increased 0.5 M NaHCO₃ extractable P concentrations with the smallest increase with BWC and the greatest with FYM, although more P was added with PL than with FYM. Available P concentrations decreased over time in the amended soils. Organic amendments increased the concentration of the labile P pools (resin and NaHCO₃-P) and of NaOH-P, but had little effect on the concentrations of acid-soluble P pools and residual P except for increasing the concentration of organic P in the concentrated HCl pool. Resin P and NaHCO₃-P_i pools decreased over time whereas NaOH-P_i and all organic P pools increased. It is concluded that organic amendments can provide P to plants and can stimulate the build-up of organic P forms in soils which may provide a long-term slow-release P source for plants and soil organisms.     

Evaluation of Mehlich 3 extractant for estimating phosphorus deficiency and phosphorus sorption of Zimbabwean soils

Abstract

The Mehlich 3 extractant was compared with the resin method for its ability to predict the phosphorus (P) status of Zimbabwean soils. Correlation of P extraction between the two methods and with plant growth was found to vary with soil texture. Because the Mehlich 3 extractant was less influenced by texture, it was better able to predict the P status over a wide range of soil types. The Mehlich 3 extractant correctly predicted P deficiency for all Zimbabwean soils, except for those that contained visible calcium carbonate. Mehlich 3‐extractable aluminum (Al) was very highly correlated with the maximum P‐sorption capacity of a wide range of soils, excluding those with calcium carbonate. Adoption of the Mehlich 3 extractant for multiple elemental analysis of soils in Zimbabwe is recommended, particularly if routine Al measurement is included as an indicator of soil P requirements.