Mehlich 3 or modified olsen for soil testing in Malawi

Abstract

Soil nutrient extraction methods, which are currently being used in Malawi, are time consuming and require too many resources. The use of a universal soil extractant would greatly reduce resource requirements. The objectives of the study were to (i) compare the universal soil extractants, Mehlich 3 (M3) and Modified Olsen (MO) with ammonium acetate (AA), Bray P1 (BPl), and diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (DTPA) in the amount of nutrients extracted, (ii) determine the relationship among the extractants for the nutrients they extract, and (iii) determine the critical soil‐test levels of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and zinc (Zn) for a maize crop. Missing nutrient trials involving P, K, and Zn were conducted on thirty sites across Malawi using maize (Zea mays L.). Phosphorus application rates ranged from 40 to 207 kg P₂O₅ ha^‐1. Potassium and Zn were applied at 75 kg K₂O and 10 kg Zn ha^‐1, respectively. Procedures of Cate and Nelson were used to identify soil nutrient critical levels. Results showed that the correlations between M3 and BP1, and MO and BPl were highly significant (r=0.93, 0.94, respectively). Mehlich 3 extractable K and AA extractable K (r=0.90), MO and AA extractable K (r=0.94) were highly significant (P<0.01) and the correlations between M3 and AA and MO and AA extractable calcium (Ca) (r=0.92, 0.90, and 0.94, respectively) were also highly significant (P<0.01). The correlations between M3, MO, and AA extractable magnesium (Mg) (r=0.99) were highly significant (P<0.01). Zinc, copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) extracted with M3 and DTPA were significantly correlated (r=0.89, 0.87, and 0.95, respectively). Correlations between MO and DTPA extractable Zn, Cu, and Mn were also highly correlated (r=0.89,0.85, and 0.95, respectively). Maize grain yields ranged from 730 to 9,400 kg ha^‐1. Mehlich 3‐P and MO‐P critical levels were 31.5 and 28.0 μg g^‐1, respectively. Mehlich 3 and MO gave a similar critical level of 0.2 cmol kg^‐1 for K while Zn critical levels were 2.5, and 0.8 μg g^‐1 for M3 and MO, respectively. Mehlich 3 and MO were equally effective in separating responsive to none responsive soils for maize in Malawi.     

一种通用型土壤有效元素高效提取方法及应用

Mehlich 3（M3）方法可同时提取土壤中磷、钾、钙、镁、铝、铁、锌、锰、铜等多种元素的有效态，提高土壤检测的效率；另外，M3法适用于钙质土、火山灰土、高度风化土等各类土壤，可作为一个“通用”型土壤有效元素提取试剂。但是硝酸铵（NH4NO3）由于管制不易获取，应用M3方法测定土壤有效元素含量时受到极大限制。因此，本研究用另一种易获取的惰性电解质氯化铵（NH4Cl）替代硝酸铵（NH4NO3），评价氯化铵替代硝酸铵M3法的适用性。Pearson相关分析结果表明，用氯化铵替代硝酸铵M3法测得的30种土壤有效磷、钾含量与M3法测定结果呈极显著正相关，其决定系数（R2）分别为0.99（P=2.31×10-55，n=60）和0.98（P=1.52×10-49，n=60）。同时，氯化铵替代硝酸铵M3法和M3法测定的有效钙、镁、铝、铁、锌、锰和铜含量极显著相关，R2值分别为0.98，1.00， 0.99，0.96，0.99，0.95和0.94。氯化铵替代硝酸铵M3–P与酸性、中性和碱性土壤的 Bray–P和Olsen–P极显著相关，R2分别为0.97和0.91 （P=1.42×10-15和1.00×10-21，n=20和40）。同时，利用氯化铵替代硝酸铵M3法测定酸性改良土壤有效磷含量，发现其得到显著提高。因此，氯化铵替代硝酸铵M3法可作为测定各种土壤，以及改良土壤中有效磷、钾和其他金属元素有效态含量的通用方法。     

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.     

Influence of Elemental Sulfur on Sugarcane Yield on Histosols with Near-Neutral pH

Soil subsidence of Florida Histosols caused by microbial oxidation following drainage of these soils has resulted in decreased depth. Soil pH has increased from tillage operations and vertical movement of carbonates from underlying limestone bedrock through evapotranspiration and seepage irrigation. This study was conducted to determine sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) yield response to banded elemental sulfur (S) (granular 90% S and granular 80% S with 5% manganese (Mn)) in soils with unamended pH ranging from 6.5 to 7.2. Four field experiments were established as small-plots on Histosols in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). Each experiment was a randomized complete block design with six replications and elemental S rates of 0, 90, 224, and 448 kg S ha^?1. Less than optimum leaf Mn at two locations were associated with Mehlich 3-extractable Mn<5 g m^?3. There were no sugarcane yield responses to elemental S with unamended pH<7.2, although S significantly reduced in-row pH.

Abbreviations: EAA, Everglades Agricultural Area; ICP, inductively coupled argon plasma; KSM, kg sucrose Mg^?1 cane; MAP, monoammonium phosphate; M3-Mn, Mehlich 3-extractable Mn; RCB, randomized complete block; STM5, granular 80% S with 5% Mn; MCH, Mg cane ha^?1; MSH, Mg sucrose ha^?1     

Determination of Soil-Available Micronutrients using the DTPA and Mehlich 3 Methods for Greek Soils Having Variable Amounts of Calcium Carbonate

The Mehlich 3 method for the extraction of available micronutrients, such as copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), is more advantageous compared to the diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) method, because it can also be used for the extraction of macronutrients. The aim of this study was to compare the Mehlich 3 and DTPA methods for 172 soils in Greece having different levels of pH and calcium carbonate. Single and multiple regression analyses were employed to evaluate the relationship between Mehlich 3 and DTPA tests. Mehlich 3 results correlated well with DTPA-extractable Cu and Zn, but the correlation was poor for DTPA-extractable Mn. Also, a high correlation was found between Mehlich 3 and DTPA-extractable Fe for calcareous soils (R² = 0.89), while a moderate relationship was found for noncalcareous soils (R² = 0.65), which was improved to 0.78 when the pH was taken into account in multiple regression analysis.     

Comparison of routine soil tests and EPA method 3050 as extractants for heavy metals in Delaware soils

Abstract

Agricultural use of sewage sludges can be limited by heavy metal accumulations in soils and crops. Information on background levels of total heavy metals in soils and changes in soil metal content due to sludge application are; therefore, critical aspects of long‐term sludge monitoring programs. As soil testing laboratories routinely, and rapidly, determine, in a wide variety of agricultural soils, the levels of some heavy metals and soil properties related to plant availability of these metals (e.g. Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, pH, organic matter, texture), these labs could participate actively in the development and monitoring of environmentally sound sludge application programs. Consequently, the objective of this study was to compare three soil tests (Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, and DTP A) and an USEPA approved method for measuring heavy metals in soils (EPA Method 3050), as extractants for Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in representative agricultural soils of Delaware and in soils from five sites involved in a state‐monitored sludge application program.

Soil tests extracted less than 30% of total (EPA 3050) metals from most soils, with average percentages of total metal extracted (across all soils and metals) of 15%, 32%, and 11% for the Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, and DTPA, respectively. Statistically significant correlations between total and soil test extractable metal content were obtained with all extractants for Cu, Pb, and Zn, but not Cd and Ni. The Mehlich 1 soil test was best correlated with total Cu and Zn (r=0.78***, 0.60***, respectively), while the chelate‐based extractants (DTPA and Mehlich 3) were better correlated with total Pb (r=0.85***, 0.63***). Multiple regression equations for the prediction of total Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, from soil test extractable metal in combination with easily measured soil properties (pH, organic matter by loss on ignition, soil volume weight) had R² values ranging from 0.41*** to 0.85***, suggesting that it may be possible to monitor, with reasonable success, heavy metal accumulations in soils using the results of a routine soil test.     

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 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.     

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.     

Integration of Soil pH with Soil‐Test Values of Zinc for Prediction of Yield Response in Rice Grown in Mollisols

Seventeen Mollisols having pH_(1:2) in the range of 6.00 to 8.42 were analyzed with five extractants, and the extractable zinc (Zn) ranges were 0.84 to 2.75 mg Zn kg^?1 soil for diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) (pH 7.3), 0.91 to 2.72 mg Zn kg^?1 soil for DTPA + ammonium bicarbonate (pH 7.6), 1.82 to 7.18 mg Zn kg^?1 soil for Mehlich 3, 1.22 to 3.83 mg Zn kg^?1 soil for ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) + ammonium carbonate, and 0.88 to 1.18 mg Zn kg^?1 soil for 1 mol L^?1 magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) (pH 6.0). Zinc extracted by DTPA (pH 7.3) and Mehlich 3 showed significant positive correlation with sand content, whereas only Mehlich 3 showed negative correlation with soil pH. All extractants showed significant positive correlation with each other except for 1 mol L^?1 MgCl₂‐extractable Zn, which had significant positive correlation with only Mehlich 3– and EDTA + ammonium carbonate–extractable Zn. A greenhouse experiment showed that Bray's percentage yield of rice was poorly correlated to extractable soil Zn but had a significant and negative linear correlation with soil pH (r = ?0.662, significant at p = 0.01). Total Zn uptake by rice had a significant positive correlation with 1 mol L^?1 MgCl₂– and Mehlich 3–extractable Zn. A proposed parameter (p extractable Zn + p OH^?) involving both soil extractable Zn and pH terms together showed significant and positive correlation with Bray's percentage yield and total Zn uptake of rice. The calculated values of critical limits of soil Zn in terms of the proposed parameter were 14.1699 for DTPA (pH 7.3), 13.9587 for DTPA + ammonium bicarbonate, 13.7016 for Mehlich 3, 13.9402 for EDTA + ammonium carbonate, and 14.1810 for 1 mol L^?1 MgCl₂ (pH 6.0). The critical limits of Zn in rice grain and straw were 17.32 and 22.95 mg Zn kg^?1 plant tissue, respectively.     

A comparison of Mehlich I and Mehlich III extractants as predictors of manganese,copper and zinc availability in four Delaware soils

Abstract

The relative effectiveness of Mehlich I (.025N H₂SO₄ + .05N HCl) and Mehlich III (0.2N CH₃COOH + 0.25N NH₄NO₃ +.015N NH₄F + .013N HNO₃ + .001M EDTA) extractants as predictors of Mn, Cu and Zn uptake was assessed in a greenhouse experiment with four Delaware soils. The soils were adjusted to eight pH levels by addition of Ca(OH)₂ or elemental S, and received comparable amounts of Mn, Cu and Zn as either (1) MnSO₄ + CuSO₄ + ZnSO₄ or (2) Poultry Manure. Mehlich 1 and III extractable Mn and Zn, but not Cu, were well correlated in most instances. Excellent correlations were obtained between Mn uptake and Mehlich I and Mehlich III extractable Mn, for all soils and sources. In general, however, neither Zn nor Cu was found to correlate well with plant uptake. Based on this study, conversion to Mehlich III, as a routine soil test extractant for micronutrients, would not result in a significant improvement over the currently used Mehlich I extractant.     

Exchangeable cations and CEC determinations of some highly weathered soils

Abstract

Eight methods to determine exchangeable cations and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were compared for some highly weathered benchmark soils of Alabama. The methods were: (1) 1N NH₄OAc at pH 7.0 by replacement (for CEC only), (2) 1N NH₄OAc at pH 7.0 (summation of basic cations plus 1N KCl extractable Al), (3) 1N NH₄OAc at pH 7.0 (summation of basic cations plus exchangeable H⁺), (4) 0.1M BaCl₂ (summation of basic cations plus exchangeable Mn, Fe and Al), (5) Mehlich 1 (summation of basic cations plus 1N KCl extractable Al), (6) Mehlich 1 (summation of basic cations plus exchangeable H⁺), (7) Mehlich 3 (summation of basic cations plus 1N KCl extractable Al), and (8) Mehlich 3 (summation of basic cations plus exchangeable H⁺). The 0.1M BaCl₂ was chosen as the standard method for the highly weathered soils and the other methods compared to it. The results indicated that the 1N NH₄OAc replacement method gave significantly higher CEC values compared to the summation methods. This was probably due to the overestimation of the field CEC caused by measurement of pH dependent cation exchange sites in these soils. There was, however, close agreement between the BaCl₂ method and the summation methods that included extractable Al. The generally good agreement between these summation methods suggests that the Mehlich 1 and Mehlich 3 extractants, commonly used to determine available nutrients in the southeastem USA, may also be used to measure effective CEC of some acid‐rich sesquioxide benchmark soils of Alabama. However, 1N KCl extractable Al as opposed to exchangeable H⁺ should be included in the computation.     

Surface Liming and Zinc Availability in a Long‐Term Experiment under No‐Till System

No‐till (NT) system with crop rotation is one of the most effective strategies to improve agricultural sustainability in tropical and subtropical regions. To control soil acidity in NT, lime is broadcast on the surface without incorporation. The increase in soil pH due to surface liming may decrease zinc (Zn) availability and its uptake by crops. A field experiment was performed in Paraná State, Brazil, on a loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Hapludox to evaluate Zn bioavailability in a NT system after surface liming and re‐liming. Dolomitic lime was surface applied on the main plots in July 1993 at the rates of 0, 2, 4, and 6 Mg ha^?1. In June 2000, the main plots were divided in two subplots to study of the effect of surface re‐liming at the rates of 0 and 3 Mg ha^?1. The cropping sequence was soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] (2001–2 and 2002–3), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (2003), soybean (2003–4), corn (Zea mays L.) (2004–5), and soybean (2005–6). Soil samples were collected at the following depths: 0–0.05, 0.05–0.10, and 0.10–0.20 m, 10 years after surface liming and 3 years after surface re‐liming. Soil Zn levels were extracted by four extractants: (i) 0.005 mol L^?1 diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) + 0.1 mol L^?1 triethanolamine (TEA) + 0.01 mol L^?1 calcium chloride (CaCl₂) solution at pH 7.3 (DTPA–TEA), (ii) 0.1 mol L^?1 hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution, (iii) Mehlich 1 solution, and (iv) Mehlich 3 solution. Zinc concentrations in leaves and grains of soybean, wheat, and corn were also determined. Soil pH (0.01 mol L^?1 CaCl₂ suspension) varied from 4.4 to 6.1, at the 0‐ to 0.05‐m depth, from 4.2 to 5.3 at the 0.05‐ to 0.10‐m depth, and from 4.2 to 4.8 at the 0.10‐ to 0.20‐m depth, after liming and re‐liming. Zinc concentrations evaluated by DTPA–TEA, 0.1 mol L^?1 HCl, Mehlich 1, and Mehlich 3 solutions were not changed as a result of lime rate application. Re‐liming increased Zn concentrations extracted by 0.1 mol L^?1 HCl at 0–0.05 m deep and by DTPA–TEA at 0.05–0.10 m deep. Surface‐applied lime promoted a decrease in Zn concentrations of the crops, mainly in grains, because of increased soil pH at the surface layers. Regardless of the liming treatments, levels of Zn were sufficient to soybean, wheat, and corn nutrition under NT.     

Novel Fertilizer as an Alternative for Supplying Manganese and Boron to Soybeans

Soybean (Glycine max) commonly experience Mn deficiencies in the coarse-textured soils of Coastal Plain Virginia, especially under high pH conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of a novel coated fertilizer to provide Mn and B to soybeans in soils where Mn deficiency is common and B deficiency, although far less common than with Mn, is possible. A 60-d greenhouse experiment was conducted with three treatments: control, uncoated KCl, and Mn +B coated KCl applied to Bojac and Dragston sandy loams. Soil and whole plant tissue samples were collected throughout the experiment. Bojac and Dragston soils treated with the coated KCl contained 12.0 mg kg^?1 and 15.8 mg kg^?1 more Mehlich 1 – Mn, 21.7 mg kg^?1 and 23.0 mg kg^?1 more Mehlich 3 Mn, and 4.5 mg kg^?1 and 4.6 mg kg^?1 CaCl₂ – Mn than the control and uncoated KCl, respectively. Coated KCl increased above ground tissue Mn by 42.9 mg kg^?1 compared to the control and the uncoated KCl treatments in the Bojac soil, while the Dragston soil showed no significant differences in Mn tissue concentration between treatments. Above ground tissue, Mn was much lower in the Dragston soil than the Bojac, probably due to greater organic matter which chelates Mn keeping it less plant available. Boron concentrations did not differ in plant tissue or soil, regardless of the extraction method. Results indicate that the coated KCl product could consistently provide increased Mn concentration in acidic sandy soils despite varying levels of organic matter, but is not effective for B.     

Shoot growth,plant tissue elemental composition,and soil salinity following irrigation of alfalfa and tall fescue with high‐sulfate waters 1

Groundwater contaminated with sulfate (SO₄ ^2‐) at concentrations higher than allowable for drinking water might still be usable for irrigation. Objectives were to determine the growth response and mineral uptake of two forage crops irrigated with waters containing SO₄ ^2‐ at concentrations ranging from 175 to 1743 mg/L, and with electrical conductivities (EC) ranging from 1.2 to 3.6 dS/m. Plants were grown for 12 weeks in 8‐L pots containing a calcareous sandy loam and were harvested at 4, 8, or 12 weeks for plant growth measurements and tissue analysis. Digested leaves, stems, and reproductive tissues were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy at each harvest, as were saturated soil paste extracts. Shoot growth of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) was not affected by irrigation water treatment, whereas shoot growth of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was increased by a moderate level of soil solution SO₄ ^2‐ Sulfur (S), boron (B), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), and zinc (Zn) concentrations in shoot tissues of both species showed a tendency to increase with increasing SO₄ ^2‐ content of irrigation water. Shoot tissue concentration of molybdenum (Mo) increased with maturation in both species, while the concentrations of B, potassium (K), manganese (Mn), Na, and Zn decreased. Soil saturated paste extract concentrations of Mg and Na increased with irrigation water Mg and Na concentrations, while Ca and S concentrations in the soil solution became saturated at the higher irrigation water concentrations of these elements.     

Sugarcane yield and plant nutrient response to sulfur-amended Everglades histosols

High soil pH causes leaf nutrient deficiencies and reduces sugarcane yield. Soil pH in Florida histosols has been increasing as these soils subside and depth to limestone is decreased. A factorial experiment of four sulfur (S) rates and three added calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) levels in soil was designed to determine S-amendment effectiveness in reducing pH and increasing nutrient availability in sugarcane as calcium (Ca) carbonate levels were increased. Sulfur-amendment and increased CaCO₃ level had limited effects on yield and leaf nutrient concentrations during the growing season. Most leaf nutrients were within optimum range except nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn). Unexpected increases in Mn concentrations with added CaCO₃ were associated with reducing conditions due to increased soil bulk density. High soil pH caused Mn deficiencies in the plants. Soil pH, P and Mn concentrations were important factors in predicting sugarcane yield.     

Tillage,lime, and poultry litter effects on plant concentrations of zinc,manganese, and copper

Minimum tillage cropping systems and the use of animal manures on cropland are becoming more prevalent. An experiment was initiated to determine the effects of tillage and lime/gypsum variables on uptake of zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) by corn (Zea mays L.) and to show correlations between plant uptake of these metals and soil pH and Mehlich 1‐extractable soil metals where poultry litter was used as a nitrogen (N) source. Surface soil samples were taken in the spring and fall for two years from a long‐term tillage experiment that had been in place for nine years. There were two tillage treatments [conventional (CT) and no‐tillage (NT)] and six lime/gypsum treatments (control, 8,960 kg gypsum ha^‐1 every fourth year, 4,480 kg lime ha^‐1 every fourth year, and three treatments of 8,960 kg lime ha^‐1 in a four‐year period divided by application times into 1, 2, and 4 treatments). Poultry litter was applied each year of the two‐year experiment at a rate of 8.96 Mg ha^‐1 on a dry weight basis. Soil samples were analyzed for pH and Mehlich 1‐extractable Zn, Mn, and Cu, and plant tissue (small plant, ear leaf, stalk, and grain) was analyzed for Zn, Mn, and Cu concentrations. Lime treatments resulted in lower Zn in the small plant and ear leaf for CT, but not for NT. Plant Mn was decreased by lime and gypsum rates for small plant, ear leaf, stalk and grain for both years for CT and NT. Correlations for plant Zn versus soil pH were generally non‐significant, except for one year for ear leaf Zn (R=‐0.413**). Correlations for soil pH and plant tissue Cu were all nonsignificant. Correlations for plant Mn and soil pH were strong with R values over 0.80. Plant Mn response to treatments was found at a pH range of 4.2 to 5.8 for ear leaf and pH 5.2 to 6.2 for stalks. Plant Mn and Zn versus Mehlich 1‐extractable soil Mn and Zn, respectively, were negative. This response was possibly due to oxidation‐reduction and non‐incorporation of the lime for Mn and non‐incorporation of the lime for Zn. Also, the poultry litter was high in Zn (447 mg kg^‐1), which could have masked pH effects. It was concluded that soil sampling for plant micronutrients for NT, especially where a waste material high in micronutrients is applied, can give erratic and even erroneous results. However, lime and tillage treatments had a predictable effect on micronutrient uptake as related to soil pH.     

Ammonium Chloride Solution as an Alternative Laboratory Procedure for Exchangeable Cations in Southern Brazilian Soils

Most Brazilian soil-testing laboratories use Mehlich 1 and 1.0 M potassium chloride (KCl) solutions as extractants for the determination of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sodium (Na) and for exchangeable calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and aluminum (Al) in agricultural soil samples. Other laboratories use a combination of exchangeable ionic resin and KCl procedures. With recent adoption of the inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES) in routine soil-testing laboratories, soil extraction with 1.0 M ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) became an alternative due to the possibility of determining all exchangeable elements in one run (Ca, Mg, K, Mn, Na, and Al), leaving determination of phosphorus (P) with Mehlich 1 or exchangeable ionic resin. To evaluate the performance of the NH₄Cl solution, an experiment was carried out with thirty-seven samples of soils representative of the southernmost state of Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul. Four extraction solutions [Mehlich 1 at soil/solution ratio of 1:10 and 1.0 M ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc), 1.0 M KCl, and 1.0 M NH₄Cl at soil/solution ratio 1:20] were used with three different shaking times (5, 30, and 60 min). Correlation coefficients among all methods were high. Mehlich 1 did not perform well against NH₄OAc and NH₄Cl, despite the high correlation coefficients, with values consistently lower for K, even when the time of extraction was increased from 5 to 30 or 60 min. However, for concentrations less than 0.30 cmol kg^?1 (i.e., in the range of K deficiency), both solutions performed similarly. Calcium and Mg increased with time of shaking. Comparable values of exchangeable Ca, Mg, and K, as well as of Al and Mn, were obtained with 1.0 M NH₄Cl with 60 min shaking and the standard procedures of 1.0 M NH₄OAc and 1.0 M KCl. The determination of Al by traditional titration/back-titration of the 1.0 M KCl solution gave slightly greater results compared to ICP-OES obtained using extraction with 1.0 M NH₄Cl. The results indicate that for Ca, Mg, Mn, and Al, it is possible to replace the traditional 1.0 M KCl extraction with 1.0 M NH₄Cl solution, with 60 min shaking time and a soil/solution ratio of 1:20.     

Evaluation of Ammonium Bicarbonate–Diethylene Triamine Penta Acetic Acid as a Multinutrient Extractant for Acidic Lowland Rice Soils

Abstract

Simultaneous extraction of nutrients using ammonium bicarbonate–diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (ABDTPA) extractant has been successful for highland soils, but its potential for lowland soils is still uncertain. This study evaluated the suitability of ABDTPA extractant to determine available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in lowland rice soils of Sri Lanka. Available nutrients were analyzed both by conventional and ABDTPA methods, using the original ABDTPA (1∶2 soil–extractant) method as well as a modified (1∶4 soil–extractant) method. Conventional methods tested were Olsen, Bray 1, and FeO strip for available P; neutral NH₄OAc extraction for exchangeable Ca, Na, K, and Mg; and DTPA extraction for available Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn. Nutrient content and uptake by plants were determined by a pot experiment with rice (Oryza sativa). Nutrients extracted by the conventional methods and ABDTPA methods correlated well, in general, for all nutrients. Highly significant correlations were observed between plant uptake and extractable nutrients by 1∶2 and 1∶4 ABDTPA methods for P (r=0.85***and 0.73***, respectively), K (r=0.79*** and 0.66***, respectively), Na (r=0.86*** and 0.78***, respectively), Zn (r=0.66*** and 0.60***, respectively), Mn (r=0.72*** and 0.84***, respectively), and Fe (r=0.74*** and 0.68***, respectively). Calcium and Mg extracted by ABDTPA showed a poor relationship with their respective plant uptake. The ABDTPA method was as effective as or even better than the conventional methods in evaluating fertility status of lowland rice soils with respect to most nutrients. Replacing the conventional methods by the single ABDTPA multielement extractant will reduce the time and cost of soil analysis.     

Comparison of Shoemaker–McLean–Pratt and Modified Mehlich Buffer Tests for Lime Requirement on Pennsylvania Soils

Abstract

The Shoemaker–McLean–Pratt (SMP) buffer test is commonly used in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States to determine the lime requirement (LR) of acid soils. The buffer contains potassium chromate, a carcinogen, and all waste must be collected for disposal in a hazardous waste facility. An alternative to the SMP buffer is the Mehlich buffer. Although the Mehlich buffer contains barium chloride (BaCl₂), also a hazardous and regulated compound, calcium chloride (CaCl₂) has been shown to be an effective substitute. The goal of this study was to compare the SMP buffer and the modified Mehlich buffer (CaCl₂ substituted for BaCl₂) for estimating LR on PA soils and to determine if the modified Mehlich buffer could provide an effective alternative to the SMP test. Twenty‐two agriculturally important Pennsylvania soils with pH values ranging from 4.5 to 6.4 were collected, and the actual LR of each soil was determined by incubating soils for 3 months with calcium carbonate. The modified Mehlich buffer was a more accurate predictor of the lime required to raise soils to either pH 6.5 (r²=0.92) or 7.0 (r²=0.87) in comparison to the SMP buffer (r²=0.87 and 0.82, respectively). Comparison of calibration equations for Mehlich buffer versus lime requirement derived in this study were similar to those developed on soils from other states and geographic regions.