Predicting Maize Yield,Nutrient Concentration,and Uptake in Phosphorus- and Potassium-Fertilized Soils: Pressurized Hot Water and Other Alternatives to Mehlich I Extraction in Guatemala Soils

Abstract

Poor accessibility and cost of soil testing reduce effectiveness of fertilizer use on small‐scale subsistence farms, and inadequate funding promotes adoption of soil tests in developing countries with minimal validation. For example, Mehlich I extraction of phosphorus (P) currently used extensively in Guatemala may not be suitable for Guatemala's broad range of soils. At least four alternatives are available but relatively untested [Bray 1, Mehlich III, Olsen, and pressurized hot water (PHW)]. Pressurized hot water is relatively simple and inexpensive but is not yet tested against other extraction methods under variable P or potassium (K) fertilization levels. To determine whether PHW‐extracted nutrients could be used to predict maize yield and nutrient concentration and uptake, soil, plant tissue and grain samples were obtained from a multiple‐site field study, and calibration studies were conducted using five rates of P and three rates of K on soils incubated without plants or cropped with maize in greenhouse and field conditions. In the multiple‐site field study, maize yield related significantly to PHW‐extractable P (r²=0.36) and to leaf P concentration (r²=0.23), but Mehlich I–extractable P did not. In the two soils used in the greenhouse study, maize yield, vegetative P concentration, and total P uptake by maize were predicted by PHW‐extractable P (R²=0.72, 0.75, and 0.90, respectively). In the field experiment, grain yield was not improved by P or K application, but P concentration of maize leaf tissue did relate significantly with PHW‐extracted P (R²=0.40). Mehlich I did not. There were no yield responses to K application in any experiment, but relationships defined between extractable K for all five K‐extraction procedures and soil‐applied K were similarly significant. In comparison, PHW was as good as or better than Olsen whereas Bray 1 and Mehlich III were less consistent. Mehlich I was overall the poorest P extractant. Mehlich I extraction of P should be replaced by one of the four alternatives tested. PHW is the least expensive and, therefore, most viable for use in Guatemala soils.     

Comparison of four phosphorus extraction methods on three acid southeastern soils

Abstract

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

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

Abstract

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

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

Relationships among soil p test values for soils of differing pedogenesis

Abstract

Surface samples of 78 soils from the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico were obtained from the U.S. Soil Conservation Service National Soil Survey Laboratory. Phosphorus was extracted by the Bray PI (0.03N NH₄F in 0.025N HCl), Mehlich No. 1 (0.05N HCl in 0.025N H₂SO₄), and Olsen bicarbonate (0.5N NaHCO₃) tests. Soil chemical, physical, and taxonomic data were obtained from the National Soil Survey Laboratory. On the basis of soil taxonomy and weathering, soils were divided into calcareous, slightly weathered, and highly weathered groups. Linear regression analysis was used to compare obtained soil P test values. Coefficients of determination (r²) ranged from 0.30 to 0.89. The lower coefficients were obtained between Mehlich No.l and Olsen bicarbonate tests, as these extractants were developed for differing soil types. Using independent data sets, the regression equations provided accurate estimates of soil test P by one method from another.     

Pressurized Hot Water Procedures for Use on Small Farms in Developing Countries

Abstract

Soil analysis for small farms in developing countries is often inconvenient and prohibitively expensive, yet the information gained from these soil tests could result in significant benefits. Based on tests done on a limited range of soils, the pressurized hot water (PHW) extraction coupled with colorimetric or turbidimetric analysis is a promising alternative. Before this extraction and analysis can be used in developing countries, testing is needed across the range of soils found in these countries. At Brigham Young University (BYU), 228 soils from Guatemala and Morocco were analyzed for NO₃‐N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) using standard methods (water–CTA, Olsen–molybdic acid and ammonium acetate–atomic absorption, respectively). Results were correlated to values obtained from the PHW extraction coupled with colorimetric or turbidimetric analytical procedures. The relationships between these tests were good (r² values of 0.96, 0.71, and 0.52 for NO₃‐N, P, and K, respectively). In an additional study comparing several P extraction methods for Guatemala soils, relationships between PHW‐extractable P and Olsen‐, Bray I–, and Mehlich I–extractable P (r² values of 0.75, 0.67, and 0.46, respectively) suggest that PHW is a promising P‐extraction procedure for use in Guatemala. Overall, PHW extraction and accompanying analyses are a less expensive alternative to current soil nutrient extraction and analysis procedures for the soils of Morocco and Guatemala.     

Determination of Soil Available Phosphorus using the Olsen and Mehlich 3 Methods for Greek Soils Having Variable Amounts of Calcium Carbonate

The Mehlich 3 method for the determination of available phosphorus (P) is less laborious compared to the Olsen method and provides the advantage of multielement analysis. However, in Greece the Olsen P method is currently used because of its suitability for calcareous soils. The aims of this study were to compare (a) the Mehlich 3 and Olsen methods for 200 soils having different levels of pH and calcium carbonate and (b) Mehlich 3 colorimetric and Mehlich 3 inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis for 17 acidic and 23 alkaline soils. The correlation of Mehlich 3 P and Olsen P methods, excluding soils with pH less than 5 and soils with calcium carbonate levels from 10.3 to 48.3%, resulted in a linear slope of 0.24 and r² of 0.82, and thus for this range of soils the Mehlich 3 test provided a more reliable measurement of P compared to the Olsen method. This study confirms also previous results that show that Mehlich 3 ICP test measures more P compared to Mehlich 3 colorimetry.     

Simplified Soil Analysis Procedure for Use in Small‐Scale Agriculture

Abstract

Soil analysis for small‐scale farms in developing countries is often inconvenient and prohibitively expensive using currently available procedures, yet the information gained from these soil tests could result in economical and environmental benefits. The pressurized hot water (PHW) extraction coupled with colorimetric or turbidimetric analysis shows promise as a viable alternative based on tests done on a limited range of soils. Before this extraction and analysis can be used in developing countries, testing is needed across the range of soils found in these countries. At Brigham Young University (BYU), 228 soils from different areas of Guatemala and Morocco were analyzed for NO₃‐N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) using standard methods (water–CTA, Olsen–molybdic acid, and ammonium acetate–atomic absorption, respectively). Results were correlated to values obtained from the PHW extraction coupled with colorimetric or turbidimetric analytical procedures. The relationships between the values for these tests were good (r² of 0.96, 0.71, and 0.52 for NO₃‐N, P, and K, respectively). Soils from each country were concurrently analyzed for NO₃‐N and P in laboratories in Guatemala and Morocco, and these results were correlated with those from BYU. Positive correlations between BYU values and those from other laboratories were obtained, with the data from the Guatemalan laboratory showing overall closer correlation than the Moroccan laboratory. In an additional study comparing several P extraction methods for Guatemalan soils, relationships between PHW‐extracted P and Olsen‐, Bray I‐, and Mehlich I‐extracted P and measured at BYU (r² of 0.75, 0.67, and 0.46, respectively) indicate that PHW is a promising alternative P extraction for use even with the highly variable soils of Guatemala. Overall, the data support PHW extraction and accompanying analyses as a less expensive alternative to current soil nutrient extraction and analysis procedures for the soils of Morocco and Guatemala.     

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

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

Divergent Relationships of Phosphorus Soil Tests in Temperate Grassland Soils

Abstract

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

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

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

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

Abstract

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

Evaluation of Mehlich 3 as a Universal Nutrient Extractant for Australian Sugarcane Soils

This study evaluated the suitability of the Mehlic h3 universal extractant as a part of a multielement test to assess the nutrient status of Australian sugarcane soils. Soil samples from BSES Soil Exchange Programs, representing all major soil types and geographic sugarcane-growing regions, were analyzed using existing BSES, acid-based extraction methods for calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and phosphorus (P) and the ASPAC 10B3 method for sulfur (S). These were compared with the Mehlich 3 procedure. Mehlich 3 results for Ca, Mg, Na, S, and Mn correlated highly with the BSES procedures (R² = 0.95, 0.98, 0.99, 0.91, and 0.91, respectively). Satisfactory correlations were also obtained with 0.1 M HCl–extracted Zn, Cu, and Fe (R² = 0.89, 0.85, and 0.85, respectively) and with the BSES sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄)–extracted P (R² = 0.81). The poorest correlation (R² = 0.79) was observed for K. In conclusion, the Mehlich 3 procedure is suitable as a diagnostic tool to assess the basic nutrient status of Australian sugarcane soils.     

Soil Phosphorus Extracted by Bray 1 and Mehlich 3 Soil Tests as Affected by the Soil/Solution Ratio in Mollisols

Different relationships between soil-test methods results have been reported in several agricultural regions. Differences in the same soil-test procedure (e.g., soil/solution ratio) exist between soil-testing laboratories from different agricultural regions. Our objectives were to (1) determine the effect of soil/solution ratio on the amount of phosphorus removed by Bray 1 and Mehlich 3 methods, (2) compare the amounts of phosphorus removed by Bray 1 and Mehlich 3 in Mollisols from the Pampean region, and (3) determine whether soil/solution ratio affects the relationship between Bray 1 and Mehlich 3. Soil phosphorus availability was determined with two extractants (Bray 1 and Mehlich 3), using two soil/solution ratios (1:10 and 1:8, wt/v) in 72 soils (noncalcareous, loess-derived Molisolls) from the Pampean region. The amount of phosphorus removed was 20–24% greater when using 1:10 than 1:8 (wt/v) soil/solution ratio. This effect was significantly greater in Bray 1 than in Mehlich 3 (p = 0.04). When compared using the same soil/solution ratio, Mehlich 3 removed 4 to 8% more phosphorus than Bray 1. The soil/solution ratio used in the comparison affected the relationship between both extractants. The difference between extractants was slightly greater with a soil/solution ratio of 1:8 than of 1:10 (p = 0.03). Our results showed that even when using the same method, changes in the procedure (like soil/solution ratio) may cause different soil-test results and also differences in the relationship between two extracting solutions. Therefore, reported relationships between two methods are only valid for the soils and region where the relationship was developed and should not be extrapolated to other regions, even with similar soils.     

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.     

Evaluation of Mehlich 3 reagent as a multielement extractant in mine soils

The usefulness of Mehlich 3 (M3) reagent was evaluated as a method to extract numerous elements from coalmine soils in As Pontes (Spain) showing a wide range of physicochemical properties. Critical levels (deficiency and/or toxicity) were established for plant available elements extracted by this reagent. The M3 method was compared to 1M NH₄Cl, Olsen, acid oxalate, and DTPA methods as extractants for exchangeable Ca, Mg and K, available P, non-crystalline aluminium, and available heavy metals, respectively. The M3 method correlated significantly to NH₄Cl for Ca, Mg and K (r=0·76, 0·84 and 0·87, respectively), to Olsen P (r=0·77) and to oxalate Al (r=0·77). Significant correlations were found between Fe, Cu, Zn and Cd extracted by M3 and DTPA; for Mn, Ni, Co and Pb different relationship between methods were obtained for acid and alkaline samples, so that critical levels were established for M3 metals as a function of soil pH. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of the Mehlich 3 soil extractant for upland Malawi soils

Abstract

The Mehlich 3 (M3) universal soil extraction method was compared with the ammonium acetate (AA), Bray 1, and DPTA extraction procedures for the analysis of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe). Upland Malawi soils from 112 smallholder farmers’ fields of the Alfisol, Ultisol, and Oxisol soil orders were analyzed by the four procedures. Calcium, Mg, and K extracted by the M3 and AA procedures were highly correlated (r² = 0.98, 0.98, and 0.99 for the respective elements). The M3 extractant also correlated well with the DPTA procedure for Zn and Cu (r² = 0.88 for both elements) and the Bray 1 method for P (r² = 0.80). Amounts of Mn and Fe extracted by M3 and DPTA were poorly correlated (r² = 0.28 and 0.47, respectively), with both elements testing high in all soils. The high levels suggest that Mn and Fe deficiencies are likely to be rare, and that analysis for these elements is not generally necessary. Special precautions for Zn and Cu analyses are advised due to the low conentrations of these elements in the M3 extract and various laboratory sources of Zn contamination. The use of soil pH along with M3‐extractable Zn is recommended in the identification of potentially Zn‐deficient soils. The preference for expressing analytical results on a volume rather than weight basis is discussed. Based on a review of literature relating to the M3 extractant, the following critical M3 soil test values are tentatively recommended for maize on upland Malawi soils: Ca, 50 mg/dm³; Mg, 75 mg/dm³ and Mg:Ca ratio >0.067; K, 70 mg/dm³; P, 20 mg/dm³; Zn, 1.0 mg/dm³; and Cu, 0.5 mg/dm³. These suggested values should not preclude in‐country correlation studies. Because the M3 procedure is well correlated with the AA, DPTA, and Bray 1 methods, and because it is a rapid procedure, the M3 method can be highly recommended as a replacement for the three current procedures for Malawi upland soils. Caution is advised in extending the results to Malawi lowland soils, which are characterized by higher pH values.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Determination of Soil Feature Effects on Plant-Available Phosphorus Extraction using Response Surface and Cate–Nelson Methodology

In this study, four soil extraction methods (Olsen, Soltanpour, Mehlich 3, and water saturation) were used to identify optimal concentrations of phosphorus (P) required for plant growth. Olsen soil extraction for P was the most appropriate method for soil types of this study as the greatest correlation coefficient for soil-test P and with plant factors was achieved. The optimal amount of soil features (pH, organic carbon, lime, gypsum, and clay) determined by using response surface methodology (a new optimization method) were 7.49, 0.66, 41.82, 4.21, and 31.34, respectively. More soil P was extracted when the soil had optimal amounts of these features, showing each feature had a significant effect on extracted soil P. Furthermore, the graphical method of Cate–Nelson determined the optimal amounts of P using Olsen, Soltanpour, Mehlich 3, and saturation extract methods for wheat as 15, 6.5, 35, and 1.5 mg kg^?1 soil in nongypsic soils and 17, 3.5, 45, and 2.5 mg kg^?1 soil in gypsic soils.