Appraisal of Some Soil Tests for Zinc Availability to Late‐Sown Wheat Grown in Mollisols

Abstract

Five soil extractants, namely, 0.005 M diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) (pH 7.3), 0.005 M DTPA+1 M ammonium bicarbonate (pH 7.6), Mehlich 3, 0.01 M ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)+0.05 M ammonium carbonate (pH 8.6), and 1 M magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) (pH 6.0), were evaluated to predict the response of wheat to zinc (Zn) application in Mollisols. These extractants could be arranged in the following decreasing order of their Zn extracting power: Mehlich 3>0.005 M DTPA+1 M ammonium bicarbonate>0.01 M EDTA+0.05 M ammonium carbonate>0.005 M DTPA>1 M MgCl₂. The critical limits of Zn in soil, below which the yield response to late sown wheat (var. UP‐2338) to Zn application could be expected, were 0.57 mg 0.005 M DTPA (pH 7.3) extractable and 1.72 mg Mehlich 3–extractable Zn kg^?1 soil. The critical limit of Zn in whole shoot at 60 days after emergence was found to be 26.1 mg Zn kg^?1 plant tissue. The DTPA and Mehlich 3–extractable soil Zn also correlated significantly and positively with Zn concentration in whole shoot at 60 days after emergence and total Zn uptake by wheat at harvest.     

Correlation of Soil pH and Mehlich‐3 Phosphorus with Postflood Rice Phosphorus Concentrations in Arkansas

Abstract

Plant‐available phosphorus (P) measured by routine soil‐test methods is poorly correlated with rice grain yield in Arkansas. Our objective was to determine whether soil water pH (pH_w) and Mehlich‐3 P were correlated with growth and yield of rice grown on silt loam soils. Data from 35 field studies were used to correlate Mehlich‐3 P and pH_w with relative yield, dry matter accumulation, and P concentration at the midtillering stage. Significant linear or nonlinear relationships between pH_w or Mehlich‐3 P with rice growth parameters were delineated but explained less than 27% of the variability in dry matter and P concentrations at the midtillering stage and grain yield at maturity. Mehlich‐3 P and pH_w together explained 61% of the variability in midtillering P concentrations. Midtillering whole‐plant P concentrations were positively related to relative grain yield and dry matter production and will be used to identify soils with limited P availability for rice in Arkansas.     

Senescence of Top Three Leaves in Field‐Grown Rice Plants

Abstract

The top three leaves play important roles in biomass production and grain yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) crop since the three leaves not only assimilate majority of carbon for grain filling during ripening phase, but also provide large proportion of remobilized‐nitrogen (N) for grain development during their senescence. The objectives of this study were to (a) compare senescence of the top three leaves and (b) compare the changes in N, chlorophyll, and ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) contents of the top three leaves after their full expansion in field‐grown rice plants. When the basis of comparison among the top three leaves was plant age in terms of days after transplanting (DAT), senescence generally started earliest in ?3rd leaf, intermediate in ?2nd leaf, and latest in flag leaf. If the basis of comparison among the top three leaves was leaf age in terms of days after full leaf expansion (DAFE), it was not clear which leaf senesced earlier. Senescence rate was generally greatest in flag leaf, intermediate in ?2nd leaf, and smallest in ?3rd leaf. Ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase content declined earlier, and at a faster rate than N and chlorophyll contents during the senescence of all top three leaves. Correlation analysis indicated a close relationship between N and chlorophyll contents. Ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase content correlated with N content better than with chlorophyll content. The suitability of N, chlorophyll, and Rubisco contents for quantifying the leaf senescence of field‐grown rice plants is discussed.     

Effect of Zinc Humate on Growth of Soybean and Wheat in Zinc‐Deficient Calcareous Soil

Abstract

Humic acids have many benefits for plant growth and development, and these effects may be maximized if these materials are combined with micronutrient applications. In the present study, pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc (Zn) humate and ZnSO₄ on growth of wheat and soybean in a severely Zn‐deficient calcareous soil (DTPA‐Zn: 0.10 mg kg^?1 soil). Plants were grown for 24 (wheat) and 28 days (soybean) with 0 or 5 mg kg^?1 of Zn as either ZnSO₄ or Zn humate. Zinc humate used in the experiments was obtained from Humintech GmbH, Germany, and contained 5% of Zn. When Zn was not supplied, plants rapidly developed visible symptoms of Zn deficiency (e.g., chlorosis and brown patches on young leaves in soybean and necrotic patches on middle‐aged leaves in wheat). Adding Zn humate eliminated Zn‐deficiency symptoms and enhanced dry matter production by 50% in soybean and 120% in wheat. Zinc‐humate and ZnSO₄ were similarly effective in increasing dry matter production in wheat; but Zn humate increased soybean dry matter more than ZnSO₄. When Zn was not supplied, Zn concentrations were 6 mg kg^?1 for wheat and 8 mg kg^?1 for soybean. Application of Zn humate and ZnSO₄ increased shoot Zn concentration of plants to 36 and 34 mg kg^?1 in wheat and to 13 and 18 mg kg^?1 in soybean, respectively. The results indicate that soybean and wheat plants can efficiently utilize Zn chelated to humic acid in calcareous soils, and this utilization is comparable to the utilization of Zn from ZnSO₄. Under Zn‐deficient soil conditions, plant growth and yield can be maximized by the combined positive effects of Zn and humic acids.     

Influence of Gyttja on Shoot Growth and Shoot Concentrations of Zinc and Boron of Wheat Cultivars Grown on Zinc‐Deficient and Boron‐Toxic Soil

Abstract

Greenhouse experiments were carried out to study the influence of gyttja, a sedimentary peat, on the shoot dry weight and shoot concentrations of zinc (Zn) and boron (B) in one bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Bezostaja) and one durum wheat (Triticum durum L., cv. Kiziltan) cultivar. Plants were grown in a Zn‐deficient (DTPA‐Zn: 0.09 mg kg^?1 soil) and B‐toxic soil (CaCl₂/mannitol‐extractable B: 10.5 mg kg^?1 soil) with (+Zn = 5 mg Zn kg^?1 soil) and without (?Zn = 0) Zn supply for 55 days. Gyttja containing 545 g kg^?1 organic matter was applied to the soil at the rates of 0, 1, 2.5, 5, and 10% (w/w). When Zn and gyttja were not added, plants showed leaf symptoms of Zn deficiency and B toxicity, and had a reduced growth. With increased rates of gyttja application, shoot growth of both cultivars was significantly enhanced under Zn deficiency, but not at sufficient supply of Zn. The adverse effects of Zn deficiency and B toxicity on shoot dry matter production became very minimal at the highest rate of gyttja application. Increases in gyttja application significantly enhanced shoot concentrations of Zn in plants grown without addition of inorganic Zn. In Zn‐sufficient plants, the gyttja application up to 5% (w/w) did not affect Zn concentration in shoots, but at the highest rate of gyttja application there was a clear decrease in shoot Zn concentration. Irrespective of Zn supply, the gyttja application strongly decreased shoot concentration of B in plants, particularly in durum wheat. For example, in Zn‐deficient Kiziltan shoot concentration of B was reduced from 385 mg kg^?1 to 214 mg kg^?1 with an increased gyttja application. The results obtained indicate that gyttja is a useful organic material improving Zn nutrition of plants in Zn‐deficient soils and alleviating adverse effects of B toxicity on plant growth. The beneficial effects of gyttja on plant growth in the Zn‐deficient and B‐toxic soil were discussed in terms of increases in plant available concentration of Zn in soil and reduction of B uptake due to formation of tightly bound complexes of B with gyttja.     

Prediction of Yield and Nitrogen Uptake of Wheat from Net Nitrogen Balance after Rice in Rice–Wheat Cropping System

Net nitrogen (N) balance after rice (Oryza sativa L.) and its relationship with yield and N uptake of succeeding wheat crop was studied in a greenhouse. Three urea-enriched green manures, namely dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), and guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) were compared with split application of urea in a rice–wheat cropping sequence. After rice, a negative N balance was measured in all treatments; however, the N balance values were greater with urea than with green manures. The N balance was positively correlated with the N content but negatively correlated with lignin content and carbon (C)–N ratio of the green manures. Lignin content was a better index than C/N ratio for predicting the net N balance, which described 82.3% of the total variations. Efficiency of residual N utilization by wheat could be determined by estimating the N balance after rice. Net N balance after rice can be used as a yardstick for the prediction of yield and N uptake by wheat crop.     

Distribution of Forms of Zinc and Their Association with Soil Properties and Uptake in Different Soil Orders in Semi‐arid Soils of Punjab,India

Abstract

Profiles of semi‐arid–zone soils in Punjab, northwest India, were investigated for different forms of zinc (Zn), including total, diethylenetriamine penta‐acetic acid (DTPA)-extractable, soil solution plus exchangeable (Zn), Zn adsorbed onto inorganic sites, Zn bound by organic sites, and Zn adsorbed onto oxide surfaces. Irrespective of the different fractions of Zn present, its content was higher in fine‐textured Alfisols and Inceptisols than in coarse‐textured Entisols. In general, the higher content of Zn was observed in the surface horizon and then decreased in the subsurface horizons. However, none of the forms of Zn exhibited any consistent pattern of distribution. Organic matter and size fractions (clay and silt) had a strong influence on the distribution of different forms of Zn. Based upon the linear coefficient of correlation, the soil solution plus exchangeable Zn, adsorbed onto inorganic sites, and DTPA‐Zn increased with increase in organic carbon but decreased with increase in pH and calcium carbonate content. Total Zn increased with increase in clay and silt content. Among the different forms, Zn bound by organic sites, water soluble plus exchangeable Zn and Zn adsorb onto oxide (amorphous surfaces) were all correlated with DTPA extractable Zn. The uptake of Zn was more in recent floodplain Entisols than very fine textured Alfisols and Inceptisols. Among the different forms soil solution +exchangeable and DTPA‐extractable Zn was positively correlated with total uptake of Zn.     

Stretching Soil Sampling to Watershed: Evaluation of Soil‐Test Parameters in a Semi‐arid Tropical Watershed

Soil sampling is an integral component of fertility evaluation and nutrient recommendation for efficient use of nutrients in crop production. Little attention has been devoted to evaluating methodology for sampling watersheds under dryland agriculture. A stratified random sampling methodology for sampling the Appayapally watershed in Mahabubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh state in the semi‐arid tropical region of India was adopted and evaluated. The watershed has an area of about 500 ha, with gentle sloping lands (<1% slope), and 217 farmers own land in the watershed. The soils are Alfisols. A total of 114 soil samples were collected from the top 15‐cm layer to represent the entire watershed. Each sample was a composite of 7–8 cores, randomly collected from the area represented by a crop and group of farmers. The soil samples were air dried, ground, and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), and extractable phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), sulfur (S), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and boron (B). Statistical analysis of the results on soil fertility parameters showed that the mean‐ or median‐based results of soil tests performed in the study did not differ significantly when the sample set size varied from 5 to 114 (100% of the population). Our results indicate that farmers' fields in the Appayapally watershed are uniform in the chemical fertility parameters studied, and even a small sample set size can represent the whole population. However, such a sampling strategy may be applicable only to watersheds that are very gently sloping and where fertilizer use is very low, resulting in an overall low fertility in the whole watershed.     

Water Use and Soil Fertility under Rice–Wheat Cropping System in Response to Green Manuring and Zinc Nutrition

ABSTRACT

Soil fertility and water use are two important aspects that influence rice productivity. This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of in-situ (sesbania and rice bean) and ex-situ (subabul) green manuring along with zinc fertilization on water productivity and soil fertility in rice under rice–wheat cropping system at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. Sesbania incorporation recorded higher total water productivity (2.20 and 3.24 kg ha^?1 mm^?1), available soil nutrients, organic carbon, alkaline phosphatase activity, microbial biomass carbon and increased soil dehydrogenase activity by 39.6 and 26.8% over subabul and rice bean respectively. Among interaction of green manures and zinc fertilization, subabul × foliar application of chelated zinc-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid at 20, 40, 60 and 80 days after transplanting recorded highest total water productivity (2.56 and 3.79 kg ha^?1 mm^?1). Foliar application of chelated Zn-EDTA at 20, 40, 60 and 80 days after transplanting recorded significantly higher water productivity than other Zn treatments, however it was statistically similar with foliar application of zinc at active tillering + flowering + grain filling. Sesbania × 5 kg Zn ha^?1 through chelated Zn-EDTA, recorded highest available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, manganese, copper and iron than other green manure and Zn fertilization interactions, although it was statistically similar with rice bean × 5 kg Zn ha^?1 through chelated Zn-EDTA as soil application. Sesbania × foliar application of 5 kg Zn ha^?1 through chelated Zn-EDTA as soil application recorded highest soil enzymatic activities and microbial biomass carbon.     

Bicarbonate Had Greater Effects Than High pH on Inhibiting Root Growth of Zinc‐Inefficient Rice Genotype

Abstract

Effects of bicarbonate (10 mM as NaHCO₃) and high pH (pH 8 buffered with HEPES) separately on root growth and accumulation of organic acids in the roots of zinc (Zn)‐efficient (IR36) and Zn‐inefficient (IR26) rice genotypes (Oriza sativa L.) were investigated in this study. The results indicated that shoot dry matter yields were decreased more by bicarbonate than by high pH for the Zn‐inefficient genotype, but not affected for the Zn‐efficient genotype. Root dry weights, especially root length, was significantly decreased by bicarbonate and high pH treatments for the Zn‐inefficient genotype, whereas was considerably enhanced by only bicarbonate treatment for the Zn‐efficient rice genotype. The reduction in root growth of the Zn‐inefficient rice genotype and the enhancement of root length in the Zn‐efficient genotype were greater when plants grown with bicarbonate than with high pH treatment. Accumulation of malate, citrate, and fumarate in roots of the two genotypes increased considerably due to both high pH and bicarbonate treatments, but to a greater extent for the Zn‐inefficient than for the Zn‐efficient cultivars. After an 8‐day treatment, more organic acids accumulated in the roots of the Zn‐inefficient genotype (IR26) when plants grown with bicarbonate than at high pH, but this was not the case for the Zn‐efficient genotype. The influence of root growth by bicarbonate appeared to be one of the major factors for the sensitivity of rice genotypes to Zn deficiency in calcareous soils. The greater inhibitory effect of bicarbonate than high pH on root growth of the Zn‐inefficient genotype might result from an excessive accumulation and inefficient compartmentation of organic acids, particularly citrate and malate, in the root cells.     

Use of In‐Season Reflectance for Predicting Yield Potential in Bermudagrass

Abstract

Spatial variability of soil nutrients is known to exist at distances of less than 1 m. Recently, an on‐the‐go system for application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer based on spectral measurements known as in‐season estimated yield (INSEY) improved N use efficiency (NUE) by as much as 17% in winter wheat. Six trials were conducted in 2001, 2002, and 2003 at Ardmore and Burneyville, OK, with an objective to develop an index similar to INSEY for use in predicting yield potential in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) that can be used for adjusting fertilizer N rates. Initial results indicate that 55% of variation in predicted bermudagrass forage yield was explained by a Bermudagrass–INSEY (B‐INSEY) index and 54% of the variation in forage N uptake was explained using the normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI). The remaining challenge is to develop appropriate N fertilizer rates based on this information and apply these rates using on‐the‐go technology.     

Nutritional Status,Yield, and Fruit Quality of “Encore” Mandarin Trees Grown in Two Sites of an Orchard with Different Soil Properties

Abstract

The nutrient status [annual fluctuation of leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn)], yield and fruit quality [soluble solids concentration (SSC), titratable acids (TA), SSS/TA and juice content] of “Encore” mandarin trees cultivated in two sites of the same orchard were studied. The trees were grafted on Carrizo citrange rootstock and grown under identical conditions, apart from some soil properties. Soil B (site B of orchard) contained more K, Ca, Mg, and organic matter than soil A (site A of orchard). The patterns of annual variation of leaf nutrient concentrations were similar in both soils, although leaf concentrations of Ca, Mg, Mn, and Fe in soil A were significantly higher than those of soil boron (B), while leaf K concentrations were significantly lower. The mineral analyses of the leaves revealed some interesting antagonisms between K–Mg, K–Ca, and K–Mn. Manganese deficiency was especially limited in the trees grown in soil B. The average fruit yield per tree in soil A, on two-year basis, was significantly higher than this in soil B. The significantly higher water infiltration rate in soil B, in contrast to soil A, seemed to be the dominant factor responsible for the differences among the two sites in yielding and leaf mineral composition.     

Availability of Lead and Cadmium in Farmland Soil and Its Distribution in Individual Plants of Dry‐Seeded Rice

Abstract

Availability of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in farmland soils and its distribution in individual plants of dry‐seeded rice were investigated utilizing graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) with a matrix modification technique. Five extractants were compared, and the operating conditions for GFAAS were optimized. The detection limits were 4.2 ng for Pb with the precision of 1.54% and 0.1 ng for Cd with the precision of 2.38%. The contents of the extractable Pb and Cd in soils were determined with the five extractants, and availability of Pb and Cd in farmland soil was discussed. The contents of Pb and Cd in different parts of dry‐seeded rice were lower than those in dry‐seeded rice soil. The contents of Pb and Cd in rice were lower than in other parts. The end top leaves accumulated the highest amounts of Pb and Cd.     

Modified Soil‐Test Methods for Extractable Phosphorus in Acidic,Neutral, and Alkaline Soils

Abstract

Although numerous soil‐test methods for estimating extractable phosphorus (P) have been developed around the world, their results are difficult to compare because of the very different scale levels used. In the present study, the Bray–Kurtz method (Bray‐P) is used as a reference value. Two other methods [lactate‐P and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)‐P] were modified to facilitate the comparison of extractable‐P determinations, mainly by adjusting the shaking time. These three methods were applied to 101 soil samples from an extensive region of Argentina with soil pH values ranging from 5.5 to 8.5. The results confirm that the Bray‐P and the two modified methods (lactate‐P and NaHCO₃‐P) determine similar contents of extractable P but are not applicable to all types of soils and conditions. Equations that minimize the statistical error were selected for soil properties such as organic carbon (OC) content, pH, soluble salts, and calcium carbonate content. Correlation coefficients between Bray‐P and NaHCO₃‐P increased to 0.91 and 0.95 in soils with high and low OC levels, respectively. It was also demonstrated that the lactate‐P test is not suitable for soils rich in calcium carbonate or soluble salts. These two modified methods are expected to be useful for testing P values that impact agricultural production.     

Effects of Arsenic‐Contaminated Irrigation Water on Growth,Yield, and Nutrient Concentration in Rice

Abstract

A study was undertaken to determine the effects of different concentrations of arsenic (As) in irrigation water on Boro (dry‐season) rice (Oryza sativa) and their residual effects on the following Aman (wet‐season) rice. There were six treatments, with 0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg As L^?1 applied as disodium hydrogen arsenate. All the growth and yield parameters of Boro rice responded positively at lower concentrations of up to 0.25 mg As L^?1 in irrigation water but decreased sharply at concentrations more than 0.5 mg As L^?1. Arsenic concentrations in grain and straw of Boro rice increased significantly with increasing concentration of As in irrigation water. The grain As concentration was in the range of 0.25 to 0.97 µg g^?1 and its concentration in rice straw varied from 2.4 to 9.6 µg g^?1 over the treatments. Residual As from previous Boro rice showed a very similar pattern in the following Aman rice, although As concentration in Aman rice grain and straw over the treatments was almost half of the As levels in Boro rice grain. Arsenic concentrations in both grain and straw of Boro and Aman rice were found to correlate with iron and be antagonistic with phosphorus.     

Evaluation of Soil Tests for Plant‐available Mercury in a Soil–Crop Rotation System

A reliable soil test is needed for estimating mercury (Hg) availability to crop plants. In this study, four extraction procedures including 0.1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl), 1 M ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) (pH 7.0), 0.005 M diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), and 0.1 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂) (pH5.0) were compared for their adequacy in predicting soil Hg availability to crop plants of a rice–cabbage–radish rotation system. The amounts of Hg extracted by each of the four procedures increased with increasing equilibrium time. The optimal time required for extraction of soil Hg was approximately 30 min, though it varied slightly among the four extractants. The amounts of Hg extracted decreased with increasing soil/solution ratio, and a soil/solution ratio of 1:5 appeared to be adequate for soil Hg availability tests. The amounts of Hg extracted increased in the order of NH₄OAc < CaCl₂ < DTPA < HCl in silty loam soil (SLS) soil, and the order was NH₄OAc < CaCl₂ ≈ DTPA < HCl in yellowish red soil (YRS) soil. Significant positive correlations among the four extractants were obtained in SLS soil. In contrast, the correlations were poor in YRS soil, especially for HCl. There were significant correlations between concentrations of Hg in edible tissue of three plants and the amounts of soil Hg extractable to the four extractants for soil–rice system and soil–radish system, but not for soil–Chinese cabbage system. The 0.1M HCl extraction overall provided the best estimation of soil‐available Hg and could be used to predict phytoavailability of Hg in soil–crop systems.     

Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic Acid–Extractable Micronutrients Status in Soil under a Rice–Wheat System and Their Relationship with Soil Properties in Different Agroclimatic Zones of Indo‐Gangetic Plains of India

Available micronutrient status of zinc, copper, manganese, and iron (Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe) in surface soil samples under a rice–wheat system collected from farmers' fields in 40 districts representing different agroclimatic zones of the Indo‐Gangetic Plain (IGP) were determined. The selection of farmers, villages, blocks, and districts within an agroclimatic zone was made on the basis of a multistage statistical approach. In Trans‐Gangetic Plains, the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable Zn ranged from 0.11 to 5.08, Cu ranged from 0.22 to 4.72, Mn ranged from 2.9 to 101.2, and Fe ranged from 1.05 to 97.9 mg kg^?1. In the Upper Gangetic Plains, the DTPA‐extractable Zn ranged from 0.04 to 2.53, Cu ranged from 0.06 to 4.32, Mn ranged from 11.1 to 421.0, and Fe ranged from 3.48 to 90.2 mg kg^?1. In the Middle Gangetic Plains, the DTPA‐extractable Zn ranged from 0.17 to 8.60, Cu ranged from 0.09 to 7.80, Mn ranged from 3.0 to 155.1, and Fe ranged from 9.22 to 256.7 mg kg^?1. In the Lower Gangetic Plains, the DTPA‐extractable Zn ranged from 0.04 to 3.46, Cu ranged from 0.21 to 4.38, Mn ranged from 9.54 to 252.2, and Fe ranged from 3.60 to 182.5 mg kg^?1. The intensively cultivated Trans‐Gangetic transect representing the midplain and Siwalik had more available micronutrients than the arid plain. Midplain and arid plain showed 17 to 20% of soil samples were low to medium in Zn and 5 and 8% were low in Fe. In the Upper Gangetic Plains, only 25% samples were deficient in Zn, especially in central and southwest plains. In the Middle Gangetic Plains, 20 to 30% of samples were deficient in Zn, and very few samples were deficient in other micronutrients. In the Lower Gangetic Plains, a majority of the samples were medium to high in micronutrients except in Barind and Rarh Plains where 30% of samples were deficient in Zn. In the Lower Gangetic Plains, the available micronutrients were plentiful. Available micronutrients increased with increase in organic C content and decreased with increase in sand content, pH, and calcium carbonate. These soils are alluvial in nature, and there was no definite pattern of micronutrient distribution with depth in the profile. However, there was more accumulation in the Ap horizon than in the B horizon.     

Amelioration of Aluminum Toxicity by Pretreatment with Phosphate in Aluminum‐Tolerant Rice Cultivar

Abstract

The phytotoxicity of aluminum (Al) in relation to preculture with phosphates was examined in the rice cultivar Arkansas fortuna. In plants precultured with phosphates, Al did not inhibit shoot growth, while Al retarded shoot growth in plants precultured without phosphates. In contrast, Al inhibited root elongation, irrespective of the presence of phosphates in the preculture solution. A large proportion of the Al in roots was in unknown, insoluble forms. In phosphate‐precultured plants, Al deposition was slightly increased, presumably due to the formation of aluminum phosphates in the roots, and phosphorus levels in shoots were markedly increased. Binding with phosphates may ameliorate the toxicity of Al when it enters the shoots and account for the uninhibited shoot growth in the presence of Al in plants precultured with phosphates.     

Soil‐Test Methods for Florida Sands Treated with an Aluminum–Water Treatment Residual and Various Phosphorus Sources

Use of aluminum (Al)–rich water treatment residuals (Al‐WTR) has been suggested as a practice to immobilize excessive phosphorus (P) in Florida soils that could represent an environmental hazard. Fertilizer P requirements can differ in WTR‐amended and unamended soil, so careful selection of soil‐testing methodology is necessary. Acidic extractants can dissolve WTR sorbed P and overestimate plant‐available P. We evaluated the suitability of the Mehlich 1 P (M‐1P) and other agronomic soil‐test procedures in an Al‐WTR‐treated Florida soil. Bahiagrass (paspalum notatum Fluggae), ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and a second bahiagrass crop were grown in succession in a Florida topsoil amended with four sources of P at 44 kg P ha^?1 (P‐based rates) and 179 kg PAN ha^?1 [nitrogen (N)–based rates] and three WTR rates (0, 10, and 25 g kg^?1 oven‐dry basis). Both water‐extractable P (WEP) and iron (Fe) strip P (ISP), but not M‐1P, values of soil sampled at planting of each grass were greater in the absence than in the presence of WTR. Total plant P uptake correlated with WEP (r² = 0.82^***) and ISP (r² = 0.75^***), but not M‐1P (r² = 0.34^***). Correlations of the dry‐matter yield, P concentration, and P uptake of the first bahiagrass were also better with WEP and ISP than with M‐1P values. However, regression of plant responses with M‐1P improved after the first crop of bahiagrass. Both WEP and ISP values were better predictors of available soil P than M‐1P in a field study with same four P sources surface applied to established bahiagrass at the same two P rates, with and without WTR. Both WEP and ISP are recommended as predictors of P adequacy in soils treated with WTR, especially for soils recently (< 5 months) treated with Al‐WTR.