Bulk sediment bioassays with five species of fresh-water oligochaetes

The fluxes of metals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Al, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni) in two spruce forest soils in S. Sweden were quantified using the lysimeter technique. Amounts in precipitation (dry and wet), throughfall, litterfall and annual accumulation in biomass were also quantified, as well as stores in soil and biomass. The metal concentrations of the soil solutions varied greatly according to season. The leaching of some metals (Fe, Cu, Pb, Cr, and organic forms of Al) was associated with the leaching of organic matter. These complexes were leached from the A horizon in considerable amounts. They were precipitated in the upper B horizon and only small amounts were transported further downward. By contrast, the leaching of Na, Mg, Ca, Mn, Cd, Zn, Ni, and inorganic forms of Al increased with increasing soil depth. The concentrations of these metals also increased with increasing soil solution acidity. The highest concentrations were often found at the transition to the C horizon. The amounts of Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Al, Zn, Cd, Cr, and Ni leached from the rooting zone were found to be larger than the amounts deposited from the atmosphere, the main source of these metals being the mineral soil. The reverse was true of Ph, Cu, and Fe, the sink being the upper part of the B horizon.     

控释肥对苹果根域环境的影响

采用苹果专用控释肥,设计不同试验处理,研究控释肥对果园土壤微生物,有机质,pH值和N、P、K、Ca、Mg、Cu、Fe、Zn、Mn等矿质元素含量的影响。结果表明,与普通复合肥相比,控释肥提高了果园土壤微生物量氮、微生物量碳和pH值,对有机质含量影响差异不明显;增加了土壤碱解氮、Fe和Zn含量,降低了土壤速效磷、交换性Ca、交换性Mg和Mn的含量,不同试验点速效钾和Cu的含量结果不一致;不同控释肥处理间大部分指标差异不明显。     

浙西北丘陵区农田土壤微量元素空间变异特征及影响因子

【目的】采用地统计学和GIS技术相结合的方法能较好地综合评价土壤微量元素空间数据的结构性、空间格局变异产生原因及影响因子。本论文以生态型城市桐庐县为研究区,研究了土壤微量元素的空间变异特征及其影响因素,为长期耕作的浙西北丘陵区农田土壤高效施肥提供依据。【方法】在满足空间分析要求的基础上,根据研究区主要土壤类型、土地利用类型、地形地貌和交通条件等因素布置采样点数目与密度,在作物收获后,选取水田区、旱地区、茶园区、果园区和桑园区等有代表性的田块采集分析土样386个。利用GS+7.0和ArcGIS 10.1进行半方差分析和Kriging插值,运用逐步回归分析比较各因子对微量元素含量的影响程度。【结果】铁、锰、铜、锌4种微量元素变异系数在58.37%~90.22%之间,块金效应值在10.9%~12.5%之间。4种微量元素的空间分布结构相似程度较小,呈斑块状特点。不同土壤类型对有效Fe和有效Zn的含量有显著影响。不同土地利用方式间4种微量元素含量差异显著。有效Fe与有机质和速效钾呈极显著负相关,与有效Cu呈极显著正相关。有效Cu与有效磷呈极显著正相关,与速效钾呈显著负相关,与有效Mn呈显著正相关。有效Zn与碱解氮呈极显著负相关,与有效磷和速效钾呈极显著正相关,与有效Mn呈显著正相关,与海拔呈显著负相关。土壤类型、土地利用方式、有机质、pH、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾和海拔等8个因子合计分别能够解释4种微量元素变异空间变异的19.1%、2.2%、12.2%和12.1%,8个因子中土地利用方式能够独立解释空间变异的3.1%~13.5%。【结论】研究区内铁、锰、铜、锌4种微量元素总体处于丰富水平,呈中等变异。不同元素的主导影响因素不同,除土壤类型、土地利用方式、有机质、pH、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾和海拔等8个因子外还有众多其它结构性影响因子,土地利用方式有重要影响但非主导因子。     

Effect of phosphorus‐enriched biochar and poultry manure on growth and mineral composition of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv.) grown in alkaline soil

The use of pyrolysis products of manures gives positive effects on soil fertility, crop productivity and soil carbon sequestration. However, effects depend on soil characteristics, plant species and the raw material from which the biochar is derived, and some negative effects of biochar have been reported. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of poultry manure (PM)‐derived biochar on the growth, and P, N, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn concentration of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plant. The treatments as follows: control, 20 g/kg poultry manure (PM), 20 g/kg phosphorus‐enriched poultry manure (PM+P), 10 g/kg Biochar (B), 10 g/kg Biochar+P (B+P). Application of biochar and PM significantly increased lettuce growth, and P‐enriched forms of PM and biochar gave the higher growth. PM has no significant effect on the N concentrations but biochar and, P‐enriched PM and biochar treatments significantly increased N concentrations. Phosphorus concentration of the lettuce leaves significantly increased by PM and biochar treatments. Plant K concentrations were also increased by PM and biochar, and their P‐enriched forms. Leaf Ca and Mg concentrations were lower in Biochar and B+P treatments than that of PM and PM+P treatments. Compared to control and PM treatments, biochar applications reduced Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu concentrations of the lettuce plants. The results of this study indicated that application of biochar to alkaline soil is beneficial for crop growth and N, P and K nutrition, but it certainly reduced Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn nutrition of lettuce.     

Effects of Fe compounds on nutrient uptake by plants grown in sand media with different pH

The effect of soil and foliar application of different iron (Fe) compounds (FeSO₄, Fe‐EDTA, Fe‐EDDS, and Fe‐EDDHA) on nutrient concentrations in lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. Australian gelber) and ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. Prego) was investigated in a greenhouse pot experiment using quartz sand as growth medium. Soil application was performed in both the acidic and alkaline pH range, and foliar application to plants grown in the alkaline sand only. Lettuce growth was depressed by Fe deficiency in the alkaline sand, whereas the treatments had no effect on ryegrass growth. Soil‐applied Fe compounds raised the Fe concentrations in lettuce. This was especially true for the Fe chelates, which also increased yields. Soil‐applied Fe compounds had no statistically significant effect on Fe concentrations in ryegrass. Concentrations of manganese (Mn) in lettuce were equally decreased by all soil‐applied chelates. In the alkaline sand, soil application of Fe‐EDDHA elevated copper (Cu) and depressed zinc (Zn) concentrations in lettuce. The chelates increased Zn concentration in ryegrass. Foliar application of Fe‐EDDS increased Fe concentrations in lettuce and in ryegrass most. Fe‐EDDHA depressed Mn and Zn concentrations in lettuce more than other Fe compounds, suggesting the existence of another mechanism, in addition to Fe, that transmits a corresponding signal from shoot to roots with an impact on uptake of micronutrients.     

云南玉溪柑桔园土壤养分状况与分布特征

在云南省玉溪市华宁南盘江低热河谷区、华宁山地丘陵区、元江干热河谷区和新平山地丘陵区4个柑桔主产区,选取一个月内未施肥的101个代表性柑桔园采集土壤进行分析。结果表明,玉溪柑桔园土壤pH值变幅在3.98～8.07之间,52.48%土壤pH基本适宜柑桔生长,14.85%土壤pH适宜柑桔生长;土壤有机质匮乏,59.40%土壤低于15g/kg;土壤碱解N,有效P、K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Mn、Zn、Cu、B的平均含量分别为78.64 mg/kg、53.95mg/kg、273.15 mg/kg、3240.37mg/kg、233.39 mg/kg、23.21 mg/kg、43.82 mg/kg、5.67mg/kg、2.89mg/kg、0.50mg/kg。总体上,土壤碱解N和有效B含量不足(低量或缺乏),不足比例分别为78.22%和66.34%;有效K、Ca、Mn和Cu含量超标(高量或过量)居多,超标比例分别为64.36%、51.48%、56.44%和83.17%;有效P、Fe、Zn含量丰富(适宜、高量或过量)为主,丰富比例分别为67.31%、75.24%和88.12%;有效Mg不足、适宜和超标果园则各占约1/3。桔园土壤养分状况的区域特征方面,华宁优于新平,新平优于元江。土壤pH与土壤有效Ca、Mg的正相关性极显著,与有效Mn、Cu的负相关性极显著,土壤有机质与土壤大部分养分正相关且达到显著水平。玉溪柑桔生产上应注意调节土壤pH值,增施有机肥和N、B肥,适度少施K、P肥,注意Ca、Mn和Cu肥的控制。     

云南玉溪柑橘园土壤养分状况与分布特征

在云南省玉溪市华宁南盘江低热河谷区、华宁山地丘陵区、元江干热河谷区和新平山地丘陵区4个柑橘生态区,选取一个月内未施肥的101个代表性柑橘园采集土壤进行分析。结果表明:玉溪柑橘园土壤pH变幅在3.98～8.07,52.48%的土壤p H基本适宜柑橘生长,14.85%的土壤pH适宜柑橘生长;土壤有机质匮乏,59.40%的土壤低于15 g/kg。土壤碱解氮、有效磷、钾、钙、镁、铁、锰、锌、铜、硼的平均含量分别为78.64、53.95、273.15、3240.37、233.39、23.21、43.82、5.67、2.89、0.50mg/kg。总体上,土壤碱解氮和有效硼含量不足(低量和缺乏),比例分别为78.22%和66.34%;有效钾、钙、锰和铜含量以超标(高量和过量)居多,比例分别为64.36%、51.48%、56.44%和83.17%;有效磷、铁、锌含量以丰富(适宜、高量和过量)为主,比例分别为67.31%、75.24%和88.12%;有效镁不足、适宜和超标的果园各占约1/3。在土壤养分状况的区域特征方面,华宁优于新平,新平优于元江。土壤pH与有效钙、镁含量的正相关性极显著,与有效锰、铜含量的负相关性极显著,土壤有机质与大部分养分含量正相关且达到显著水平。因此,云南玉溪柑橘园生产上应注意调节土壤pH,增施有机肥和氮、硼肥,适度少施钾、磷肥,注意钙、锰和铜肥的控制。     

Effects of Long‐Term Irrigation using Industrial Wastewater on Soil Properties and Elemental Contents of Rice,Spinach, Clover,and Grass

Abstract

Application of industrial wastewater on agricultural lands increased the amounts of elements in soil and plants. To investigate the effects of wastewater on soil properties and element content in soil and plants, wastewaters of three industries (chrome chemical, wood and paper, and textiles) were examined in 2005. At harvest time, the soil samples were taken from depths of 0–15 and 15–30 cm, and the roots and shoots of rice, spinach, clover, and grass and grain of rice in an industrial wastewater–treated area and untreated area were sampled. Results indicated that the concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) increased in river water when wastewater was discharged into it. Use of the river water, influenced by industrial wastewater, for irrigation of rice and other plants increased the amounts of organic matter and available Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe in soil. Cation exchange capacity was correlated with available Cu and Fe in soil (+0.431** and +0.499**, respectively). Soil organic matter was correlated with available Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe in soil. However, the clay content in soil did not correlate with these elements. Meanwhile, in roots, shoots, and grains of rice and roots and shoots of spinach, clover, and grasses of agricultural land influenced by industrial wastewater, the amounts of Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe increased. Therefore, by increasing the amount of Mn in the soil, the concentration of Zn in rice grain decreased and the concentration of Cu and Mn increased. Transferred Zn concentrations to rice grain and shoots of spinach, clover, and grass were more than Cu and Mn and increased in rice grain.     

施肥结构对砂质潮土中微量营养元素空间变化的影响

本文通过长期定位施肥试验 ,分析了不同施肥结构对砂质潮土交换性钙、镁及有效硫、锌、锰、铜、铁等在 0～ 1 2 0cm土体中空间分布变化的影响 .结果表明 ,磷肥明显提高土壤交换性钙的含量 ,而有机肥与氮肥对土壤钙含量无明显影响 .但有机肥显著增加土壤交换性镁含量 ,各层镁含量与有机肥用量呈显著或极显著正相关 ,磷肥同样对土壤镁有提高作用 ,但氮肥无论是否与有机肥配施均降低了土壤各层交换性镁含量 .土壤 0～ 4 0cm有效锌、锰、铁均随有机肥增加而增加 ,并与有机肥用量呈极显著正相关 .而化肥无论是否与有机肥配施均降低土壤有效锌含量 ,但却增加了有效铁含量 .氮肥单施降低土壤有效锰含量 .在无有机肥情况下 ,施磷提高土壤有效铁含量 ,而在施有机肥条件下磷肥则降低耕层有效铁含量 .磷肥只在单施化肥时增加土壤有效锰含量     

Soil micronutrient availability to crops as affected by long-term inorganic and organic fertilizer applications

Micronutrient status in soils and crops can be affected by different fertilization practices during a long-term field experiment. This paper investigated the effects of different fertilization treatments on total and DTPA-extractable micronutrients in soils and micronutrients in crops after 16 year fertilization experiments in Fengqiu County, Henan Province, China. The treatments of the long-term experiment included combinations of various rates of N, P and K in addition to two rates of organic fertilizer (OF) treatments. Winter wheat and summer maize were planted annually. Soil macro- and micronutrients along with pH and organic matter (OM) were analyzed. Grains and above ground parts of both crops in the final year were harvested and analyzed for Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn. The results showed that soil Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations did not change among the different treatments to a significant level, except for a slight decrease of soil Zn in the CK (no fertilizer application) compared to the OF treatment. The DTPA-extractable soil Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations increased from 0.41 to 1.08 mg kg⁻¹, from 10.3 to 17.7 mg kg⁻¹, and from 9.7 to 11.8 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, with increasing soil OM content, thus showing the importance of soil OM in micronutrient availability for crops. The NPK treatment also had higher DTPA-extractable micronutrient concentrations in soil. Deficiency of N or P resulted in a low yield but high micronutrient concentrations in crops except Cu in maize stalks. Higher available soil P significantly decreased crop micronutrients, possibly because of their precipitation as metal phosphates. Maize stalks contained higher concentrations of micronutrients than those of wheat straw, whereas wheat grain had higher micronutrients than those of corn grain. The transfer coefficients (TCs) of micronutrients from straw to grain were significantly different between winter wheat (1.63–2.52 for Cu; 2.31–3.82 for Zn; no change for Fe; 0.55–0.84 for Mn) and summer maize (0.24–0.50 for Cu; 0.50–1.21 for Zn; 0.02–0.04 for Fe; 0.07–0.10 for Mn). In conclusion, application of organic matter significantly increased the DTPA-extractable concentrations of Zn, Fe and Mn compared to the CK, grain and vegetative tissue in the CK and NK had higher micronutrient concentrations than those in other treatments.     

不同种植年限葡萄园根区土壤养分变化及对再植葡萄生长的影响

研究了种植葡萄30年重茬3次和种植葡萄3年新建葡萄园的根区土壤养分变化,结合盆栽试验,分析了不同葡萄园根区土壤对再植葡萄生长发育的影响。结果表明,连作葡萄园土壤有机质及大量元素N、P、K、水溶性Ca、Mg含量并未减少,表现出显著增加趋势,而微量元素变化较为复杂,随着葡萄种植时间延长,Fe、Mn含量减少,Zn、Cu含量增加,Zn/Mn、Zn/Fe、N/Fe、P/Fe、Zn/K等比例失调,其中Zn/Mn、Zn/Fe比例失调最为严重。与新植园土盆栽葡萄相比,连作园根区土盆栽葡萄的株高、茎粗、地上鲜重、地下鲜重、叶绿素含量和根系活力均较低,分别比新植园土盆栽葡萄降低39.80%、5.82%、47.97%、30.17%、30.36%和21.22%,表现出明显的重茬障碍症状。连作土壤中Fe含量减少,Zn/Mn、Zn/Fe比例失调可能是葡萄连作障碍产生的重要原因之一。     

Nutrient status of wheat crop in Ludhiana

Abstract

Samples of wheat plants from 5 selected villages of Ludhiana (Punjab, India) were analysed for P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn. The dominant nutritional deficiencies are found to be those of zinc and copper. The extent of hidden hunger is in the order of Zn > Mg > Cu > K. The low concentrations of Zn and Cu are ascribed to the inherent poor fertility status associated with the lighter texture and low organic matter content. The data suggest that the low concentrations of Mg may be due to high availability of K in some soils. A sharp decline in the higher concentrations of P, K, Mg and Zn with the advancement in the growth stage suggests the importance of stage of growth at the sampling time in evaluating the leaf analysis data.     

Humic acid applications to lettuce do not improve yield but do improve phosphorus availability

The effects of humic acid (HA) and phosphorus (P) applications on plant growth and nutrient content of lettuce, together with available soil phosphorus remaining after harvest were examined. The amounts of phosphorus used were 0, 120, and 240 kg ha^?1 and those of humic acid were 0, 100, 200, and 300 kg ha^?1. Phosphorus increased the nitrogen content of lettuce significantly (P<0.01) while the application of humic acid did not have significant effect. Humic acid, phosphorus, and HA×P interaction increased the nitrogen content of lettuce significantly (P<0.05). All effects were not significant for plant K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Mn contents. Application of phosphorus decreased Zn content significantly (P<0.05). Increased amount of phosphorus caused significant increases in residual soil phosphorus (P<0.01). It was concluded that the application of 120 kg ha^?1 of phosphorus together with 300 kg ha^?1 of humic acid was convenient for the head weight of lettuce.     

三江平原白浆土中Fe、Mn、Cu和Zn生物有效性的研究

在三江平原上,测定 42 个小区中玉米、大豆、小麦籽实 Fe、Mn、Cu 和 Zn 含量和土壤中各形态 Fe、Mn、Cu 和Zn含量.通过相关分析和通径分析,探讨了土壤中各形态Fe、Mn、Cu 和 Zn 的生物有效性,旨在为该地区合理施用微量元素提供科学依据.试验结果表明,玉米、大豆和小麦籽实含 Fe、Mn、Cu 和 Zn 量与土壤中有效态和交换态 Fe、Mn、Cu和Zn含量呈显著或极显著正相关.有机态 Fe、Mn、Cu 和 Zn含量与玉米、大豆和小麦籽实Fe、Mn、Cu 和 Zn含量也有很好的相关关系.交换态对有效态 Fe、Mn、Cu 和 Zn 影响最大,其次是有机质结合态.铁锰氧化物结合态 Fe、Cu 对有效态 Fe、Cu 及碳酸盐结合态 Mn、Zn 对有效态 Mn、Zn 具有一定正效应.而残留态 Fe、Cu 对有效态 Fe、Cu 和铁锰氧化物结合态 Mn 对有效态 Mn 产生负效应.     

重庆市植烟土壤有效态微量元素含量评价

对重庆市14个县(区)的334个植烟土壤样品的有效态微量元素Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn、B和Mo的含量状况和分布特征进行分析,结果表明,重庆市20%以上植烟土壤缺Mo、Zn,75%以上土壤缺B,有效铁、锰含量较丰富,有效铜极丰富。有效铁、锰、铜、锌含量均与土壤pH值呈负相关关系,有效钼含量与土壤pH值呈正相关关系,有效硼含量在pH<7.0时随pH的增加而增加,但在pH>7.0时含量下降。植烟土壤中有效铁和有效铜含量与有机质含量呈极显著正相关关系,而有效锰、硼和钼与有机质无明显相关性。     

山东典型植烟土壤微量元素有效态含量研究

为摸清山东典型植烟区土壤微量元素有效态含量分布情况,采集和分析了临朐、蒙阴、诸城、费县、五莲、莒县6个主要植烟县的烟田耕层和剖面土样。结果表明:①耕层土壤有效Fe和Mn含量丰富,有效Cu含量适中,有效Zn含量较低。②石灰性砂页岩发育的土壤中微量元素有效态含量相对较低。③有效态Fe、Mn和Zn主要为表层富集型,有效Cu垂直分布相对均匀。④土壤有效态Fe、Mn、Cu和Zn含量随pH升高而降低,随有机质增加而增加;pH是影响有效态Fe和Mn的重要因素,而有机质是影响有效态Cu和Zn的重要因素。     

RELATIONSHIPS AMONG METALS IN THE SOLID PHASE OF SOILS AND IN WILD PLANTS

The relationships between plant and soil systems were investigated using multivariate statistical methods and relative ionic impulsions. Soil samples were taken from three locations and wild plant species consisted of:Poa, Pteridium aquilinum, Diplotaxis, Plantago lanceolata andTrifolium repens. The content of Mg, Ca, Na, K, Mn, Fe, Pb, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cr in soils and plants was determined. A five-step chemical fractionation procedure (speciation) was applied to soil samples. Total metal contents were determined and amounts extracted with HCl, EDTA and DTPA were measured. Pb, Co, Ni, Cu, Fe, Zn, Cd and Cr in soils (considered as microconstituents for plants) show a greater number of statistically significant relationships with plant contents than those shown by macroconstituents (Mg, Ca, Na, K and Mn). On the other hand, only Zn and Pb extracted with EDTA and DTPA seem to be related to metal contents in wild plants. When using relative ionic impulsions, any soil fraction (obtained from the fractionation procedure, including the soluble fraction, which is the sum of all the fractions except the residual) is suitable for the study of soil-plant system, suggesting a global balance among all the fractions. Our results suggested an active assimilation for K and a passive uptake for Na, Ca and Mn. Furthermore, Fe seemed to favour the active assimilation of the other microelements.     

An Investigation on Nutritional Problems of Hazelnut Grown on Acid Soils

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the nutritional problems of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) grown on acid soils. For this purpose, soil and leaf samples were taken from 30 different hazelnut growing areas from Trabzon Region in Turkey. Some physical and chemical properties and some nutrient element contents of soil and leaf samples were determined. These determined values were compared with critical values, and the degree of sufficiency was evaluated. In general, organic matter, total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), exchangeable potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) contents of soil samples were sufficient. Calcium (Ca) deficiency was obtained in 93.4% of the soil, because of acid property of the soils. Available iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) contents of the soils were found to be sufficient. In 70% of the soils, Zn deficiency was found. Nitrogen, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Zn deficiencies of leaf samples were 20.0, 26.7, 6.7, 73.4, 50.0, and 66.7%, respectively. Iron, Cu, and Mn contents of leaf samples were found to be sufficient.     

Combination of Different Extractants to Assess Binding Forms of Some Elements in Soil Profiles

Abstract

Three different chemical extractants were evaluated as to their extraction efficiency for copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), aluminium (Al), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) on forest soil profiles from the Romanian Carpathians. The extractants were hot 14 M nitric acid (HNO₃), 0.05 M hydrochloric acid (HCl), and 0.1 M sodium pyrophosphate. By comparing amounts extracted by 0.05 M HCl and 0.1 M sodium pyrophosphate relative to that dissolved by hot 14 M HNO₃, some conclusions were drawn concerning the chemical forms of the metals in the extractable pool. The amount released by 0.05 M HCl was generally less than 10% of the HNO₃‐extractable fraction but showed considerable variation among the elements studied. The relative amount extracted by pyrophosphate increased with organic‐matter content of the soils for Cu, Zn, Pb, Al, Fe, and Cr; stayed more or less constant for Mn, K, and Mg; and decreased for Ca. These findings are discussed with respect to the different binding forms of the metals in the soil and the processes affecting their mobility. From the present results, the metals were ranked as follows with respect to their ability to form organic complexes in natural soils: Cu>Cr, Pb>Ca>Al>Fe, Zn, Mn, K>Mg. However, the use of cold dilute HCl as a fractionation step may be questionable in cases of soils with a high content of substances possessing large neutralization capacity for protons.     

Application of High Copper and Zinc Compost and Its Effects on Soil Properties and Growth of Barley

Abstract

A compost of high copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) content was added to soil, and the growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was evaluated. Four treatments were established, based on the addition of increasing quantities of compost (0, 2, 5, and 10% w/w). Germination, plant growth, biomass production, and element [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), Cu, manganese (Mn), and Zn] contents of soil and barley were determined following a 16‐week growing period. Following harvesting of the barley, analysis of the different mixtures of soil and compost was performed. Micronutrient contents in soils as affected by compost additions were determined with diethylene–triamine–pentaacetic acid (DTPA) (Cu, Mn, Fe, and Zn) or ammonium acetate [Ca, Na, Mg, K, cation exchange capacity (CEC)] extractions, and soils levels were compared to plant uptake where appropriate. Increasing rates of compost had no affect on Ca, Mg, or K concentration in barley. Levels of Cu, Zn, Mn, and Na, however, increased with compost application. High correlations were found for DTPA‐extractable Cu and Zn with barley head and shoot content and for Mn‐DTPA and shoot Mn content. Ammonium acetate–extractable Na was highly correlated with Na content in the shoot. High levels of electrical conductivity (EC), Cu, Zn, and Na may limit utilization of the compost.