Evaluation of the modified olsen extracting reagent for Copper,Zinc and Manganese

Abstract

The Modified Olsen (MO) extracting reagent is used extensively as a soil test extractant in Latin America. Little correlation or calibration research hasbeenreportedonit, however, especially for the micronutrients. wheat, corn, and soybeans were grown successively in the greenhouse to evaluate Cu, Zn, and Mn, respectively. Lime and micronutrient variables (one micronutrient per crop) were imposed on six soils representing four orders. After each cropping the soils were extracted with MO and with three other extracting reagents for which there are referenced critical levels: Mehlich‐1 (Ml), Mehlich‐3 (M3) and Soltanpour‐Schwab (SS). The correlations between nutrient uptake and the concentrations extracted were fairly similar for the four solutions, but were better for Mn and Zn than Cu. The poor relationship for Cu occurred partly because a maximum wheat concentration of about 10 mg/kg was reached, creating a curvilinear function. The amounts of nutrients extracted by the four reagents were also well correlated except for that between MO and Ml for Cu. Using these relationships, along with critical levels previously determined with reference extractants, the MO critical levels for Cu, Zn, and Mn were estimated to be 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg/L, respectively     

Comparison of 1 M HCl and Mehlich 3 for Assessment of the Micronutrient Status of Polish Soils in the Context of Winter Wheat Nutritional Demands

In Poland, assessment of the content of micronutrients in soil is performed using 1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) as an extractant. The objective of this study has been to check whether 1 M HCl can be replaced by Mehlich 3. In total, 330 soil samples were taken from fields cropped with winter wheat. Each sample was accompanied by a sample of wheat plant. The samples were from four groups of soils having various pH values—from acidic to alkaline soils. The suitability of the extractants was evaluated separately for each soil group based on the significance and power of correlation between soil microelements extracted by both methods, soil and plant microelements, and the bioaccumulation factor. The HCl extractant was a better predictor of the availability of microelements to wheat than Mehlich 3 in all tested soil groups. Mehlich 3 can be applied for extraction of boron (B) and, in some cases, copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn).     

Effect of Liming on the Plant Availability and Distribution of Zinc and Copper among Soil Fractions

Abstract

Information on the redistribution of applied micronutrients into different fractions as a result of lime application is important to predict plant accumulation of nutrients and to select appropriate chemical extraction procedures for evaluation of micronutrient availability. The present work was carried out to study the influence of liming on the availability and redistribution of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) among soil fractions. Additionally, the effect of liming was evaluated on the recovery of these micronutrients by different chemical extractants (Mehlich‐1, Mehlich‐3, and diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA), which were correlated with Zn and Cu concentrations in corn (Zea mays L.) plants and soil fractions (exchangeable, organic matter, amorphous iron oxides, and crystalline iron oxides). The results showed that Zn added to soil samples that did not receive lime was retained mainly in the exchangeable and organic matter fractions. The liming resulted in distribution of Zn into iron oxides and as a result decreased the plant accumulation of Zn. Mehlich‐3 was the most efficient extractant to predict the plant accumulation of Zn in the acid soils, whereas DTPA was the most efficient in the limed soils. The oxide crystalline fraction was the major fraction responsible for retaining Cu in the soils. However, Cu added to soil was distributed mainly into organic matter. Mehlich‐3 was the most suitable extractant for predicting the bioavailability of Cu in limed or unlimed soils.     

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.     

Residual heavy metal concentrations in sludge‐amended coastal plain soils ‐ I. Comparison of extractants

Abstract

The purposes for this research were: to examine the long‐term residual effects of farmland applications of municipal sludges from four treatment technologies on the total and extractable Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb, Ni and Cd concentrations in Coastal Plain soils; to investigate the effects of sludge sources and rates on the effectiveness of soil extractants to remove the various metals; and to determine correlation coefficients for soil extractable versus plant accumulation in tobacco. The extractants evaluated were Mehlich 1 and 3, and DTPA‐pH 7.3. Composite Ap horizon soil samples and tobacco leaf samples were obtained in 1984 from research plots at two sites in Maryland that were established in 1972 and 1976, respectively, using sludge materials from three wastewater treatment facilities in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. Similar application rates were used at both sites.

A wide range in soil pH values was found among treatments at each site. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) increases were observed in total Zn, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, and Cd for all sludge sources with increased rates; however, values for total soil Mn exhibited high variability in all cases. The rankings among the extractants varied for some elements depending on the sludge sources. For Zn, the rankings were Mehlich 1 > Mechlich 3 > DTPA‐pH 7.3 across all sources and rates. For Cu, Mehlich 3 > Mehlich 1 > DTPA‐pH 7.3 was found for soils amended with Blue Plains digested (BPD) and Piscataway limeddigested (PLD) sludges but Mehlich 1 ≥ DTPA pH 7.3 > Mehlich 3 for Blue Plains limed compost (BPLC) and Annapolis Fe and heat treated (AFH) sludges. Concerning extractable Mn, Mehlich Mehlich 1 > Mechlich 3 > DTPH pH 7.3 was the order for BPLC and AFH sludges but Mehlich 3 > Mehlich 1 > DTPA‐pH 7.3 was observed for BPD and PLD sludges. The rankings among extractants for Fe (Mehlich 3 > Mehlich 1 > DTPA‐pH7.3), Ni (Mehlich 3 ≥ Mehlich 1 > DTPA‐pH 7.3), Pb (Mehlich 3 > DTPA‐pH 7.3 > Mehlich 1) and Cd (Mehlich 1 > Mehlich 3 > DPTA‐pH7.3) were somewhat similar across all sludge sources. Significant correlation coefficients were obtained for all three extractants for soil extractable vs. plant Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cd at both sites; however, Mehlich 3 was not significant for Mn. Also, neither of the extractants produced significant coefficients for Fe and Pb.     

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 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.     

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.     

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 Three Micronutrient Soil-Test Extractants in Three Greek Soil Types

The purpose of the present study was to compare the ability of three micronutrient soil-test extractants [diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), Mehlich 3, and Soltanpour and Schwab] to determine plant-available concentrations of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) in three soils (from parent material Marl, Gneiss schist, and Peridotite) from central Macedonia, northern Greece. In black plastic bags containing 3 kg of air-dried soil, self-rooted olive plants (cv. Chondrolia Chalkidikis) were grown for about 5 months and irrigated with distilled water during the experimental period. At the end of the experimental period, the three extractants were evaluated, based on correlation analysis among leaf micronutrient concentrations, total plant micronutrient content of olive plants, and soil micronutrient concentrations determined by each extractant. The largest extractable concentrations of Mn, Fe, and Zn were determined by Mehlich 3, compared to the other two soil-test extractants. However, for the correlation analysis, the greatest correlation coefficient between leaf Mn (and total plant Mn content) and soil extractable Mn was achieved when DTPA was used (varying from 0.76 to 0.88, depending on soil type). Therefore, it is concluded that DTPA was a better extractant to determine plant-available Mn than the other extractants for the three soils studied. For correlations between leaf Fe and Zn concentrations and also for total plant Fe and Zn content, and soil extractable concentrations, the type of extractant and soil type play a very important role in determining the best correlation. This means that in each soil type the greatest correlation was achieved with the use of other extractant. For example, for Fe in the Marl and Peridotite soils the best correlation was found for Mehlich 3, whereas in the Gneiss schist the best correlation was achieved for DTPA (R = 0.72–0.94). For Zn, in the Gneiss schist soil the best extractant in determining plant available concentration was Soltanpour and Schwab (R = 0.49–0.60), whereas in the other two soil types DTPA was found to be the most reliable extractant (R = 0.51–0.78). Therefore, soil type should be carefully and thoroughly studied by the researchers in similar future experiments.     

Evaluation of Universal Extractants for Determination of Some Macronutrients from Soil

Evaluation of nutrient status in soil is important for nutritional, environmental, and economical aspects. The objective of this work was to find out the most suitable universal extractant for determination of available phosphorus (P) and nitrate (NO₃-) and exchangeable potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) from soils using 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂), 0.01 M barium chloride (BaCl₂), 0.1 M BaCl₂, 0.02 M strontium chloride (SrCl₂), Mehlich 3, and ammonium bicarbonate diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (AB-DTPA) extractants. Composite surface soil samples (0–20 cm) were collected from the Eastern Harage Zone (Babile and Haramaya Districts), Wolaita Zone (Damot Sore, Boloso Bombe, Damot Pulasa, and Humbo Districts), and Dire Dawa Administrative Council by purposive sampling. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Results indicated that the greatest correlations were found between Mehlich 3 and Olsen method and also between 0.02 M SrCl₂ and Olsen method for available P. The amount of NO₃^– extracted by 0.02 M SrCl₂ was significantly correlated to the amount determined by 0.5 M potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄). The amounts of exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg determined by ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) method were significantly correlated to the amount determined by universal extractants tested. In general, both 0.02 M SrCl₂ and Mehlich 3 can serve as universal extractants for the macronutrients considered in this study with the former being more economical when NO₃^– is included.     

Heavy metal concentration in forage grasses and extractability from some acid mine spoils

Laboratory and greenhouse studies were conducted on several forage grasses, bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra), Kentucky 31-tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), oat (Avena sativa), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), triticale (X. triticosecale Wittmack), and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown on three Alabama acid mine spoils to study heavy metal accumulation, dry matter yield and spoil metal extractability by three chemical extractants (Mehlich 1, DTPA, and 0.1 M HCl). Heavy metals removed by these extractants were correlated with their accumulation by several forage grasses. Among the forages tested, creeping red fescue did not survive the stressful conditions of any of the spoils, while orchard grass and Kentucky 31-tall fescue did not grow in Mulberry spoil. Sorghum followed by bermudagrass generally produced the highest dry matter yield. However, the high yielding bermudagrass was most effective in accumulating high tissue levels of Mn and Zn from all spoils (compared to the other grasses) but did not remove Ni. On the average, higher levels of metals were extracted from spoils in the order of 0.1 M HCl>Mehlich 1>DTPA. However, DTPA extracted all the metals from spoils while Mehlich 1 did not extract Pb and 0.1 M HCl did not extract detectable levels of Ni. All of the extractants were quite effective in determining plant available Zn from the spoils. For the other metals, the effective determination of plant availability depended on the crop, the extractant, and the metal in concert.     

Micronutrient Soil-Test Levels and Eucalyptus Foliar Contents

Eucalyptus is the most widely planted forest species in Brazil (～3.4 million hectares). Ongoing rotations and high yields lead to the occurrence of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) deficiency symptoms. The objectives of this work were to identify the most appropriate extractant for evaluating micronutrient availability in commercial Eucalyptus plantations and to evaluate the influence of soil properties on Eucalyptus foliar micronutrient contents. Soil micronutrient contents were extracted by Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). Mehlich 1 and Mehlich 3 extracted the greatest amounts for all micronutrients analyzed. Foliar Cu, Mn, and Zn contents showed significant and positive relationships with soil Cu, Mn, and Zn contents extracted by the three solutions. Soil organic carbon (SOC), soil clay content, and soil pH improved significantly the power of regression models in estimating foliar micronutrient contents. The improvement was greater for Mehlich 3 and DTPA extractants than for Mehlich 1.     

Comparison of Soil P Test Procedures for St. Augustinegrass

St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secondatum (Walt.) Kuntze] is a home lawn grass widely used in the southern United States. At present, phosphorus (P) fertilization of St. Augustinegrass is based primarily on Mehlich 1 P test. One criticism of Mehlich 1 extractant is that it extracts some fraction of soil P pool that is not available to plants, whereas, iron (Fe) oxide P and water‐extractable P methods are reported to be better related to plant growth in some cases. Literature relative to the soil test procedure comparison for St. Augustinegrass was not found. The objective of this study was to evaluate Mehlich 1 P, Fe oxide P, and water‐extractable P to identify the most suitable soil test method for St. Augustinegrass growth. Established pots of ‘Floratam’ were subjected to P application of 0, 0.14, 0.27, 0.54, and 1.07 g m^?2 every 4 wk for 12 wk. Measurements included tissue growth rates, tissue P concentration, soil Mehlich 1 P, Fe oxide P, and water‐extractable P concentrations. Phosphorus application increased soil test P concentrations. Soil Mehlich 1 P, Fe oxide P, and water‐extractable P concentrations were closely correlated to each other. Three soil test P levels and tissue P concentrations were highly correlated with Mehlich 1 P, which best predicted tissue P levels. Three soil test P levels were also closely correlated to the St. Augustinegrass top growth rate. Critical minimum Fe oxide P and water‐extractable P concentration was 3 mg kg^?1. Overall, Mehlich 1 P was the best soil P test for St. Augustinegrass among the three extractants tested.     

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

Abstract

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

Soil Test to Predict the Copper Availability in Pasture Soils

Abstract

The proportion of copper (Cu) that can be extracted by soil test extractants varied with the soil matrix. The plant‐available forms of Cu and the efficiency of various soil test extractants [(0.01 M Ca(NO₃)₂, 0.1 M NaNO₃, 0.01 M CaCl₂, 1.0 M NH₄NO₃, 0.1 M HCl, 0.02 M SrCl₂, Mehlich‐1 (M1), Mehlich‐3 (M3), and TEA‐DTPA.)] to predict the availability of Cu for two contrasting pasture soils were treated with two sources of Cu fertilizers (CuSO₄ and CuO). The efficiency of various chemical reagents in extracting the Cu from the soil followed this order: TEA‐DTPA>Mehlich‐3>Mehlich‐1>0.02 M SrCl₂>0.1 M HCl>1.0 M NH₄NO₃>0.01 M CaCl₂>0.1 M NaNO₃>0.01 M Ca(NO₃)₂. The ratios of exchangeable: organic: oxide bound: residual forms of Cu in M1, M3, and TEA‐DTPA for the Manawatu soil are 1:20:25:4, 1:14:8:2, and 1:56:35:8, respectively, and for the Ngamoka soil are 1:14:6:4, 1:9:5:2, and 1:55:26:17, respectively. The ratios of different forms of Cu suggest that the Cu is residing mainly in the organic form, and it decreases in the order: organic>oxide>residual>exchangeable. There was a highly significant relationship between the concentrations of Cu extracted by the three soil test extractants. The determination of the coefficients obtained from the regression relationship between the amounts of Cu extracted by M1, M3, and TEA‐DTPA reagents suggests that the behavior of extractants was similar. But M3 demonstrated a greater increase of Cu from the exchangeable form and organic complexes due to the dual activity of EDTA and acids for the different fractions and is best suited for predicting the available Cu in pasture soils.     

Evaluation of soil extractants to estimate available micronutrients under wheat‐field conditions

Abstract

Three extracting reagents were evaluated by correlation analyses to provide the best index of Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe availability to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants growing under open field conditions. Twenty one soils were selected to obtain the widest range in properties of soils of the land wheat cultivated. The magnitude of the extractive power varied in the following order: 6NHCl ? EDTA + NH₄OA_C, pH4.65 > DTPA‐TEA, pH 7.3. The mild extractants, EDTA and DTPA, gave the same order of removal of micronutrients being Zn < Cu < Fe < Mn. The acid extractant was on the contrast more effective on Cu and Fe with respect to Zn and Mn, respectively. Wheat concentrations of Zn, Mn and Fe were significantly correlated to soil micronutrients. Highly significant relationships were found for Zn extracted by DTPA solution (r = 0.737***) and for Mn and Fe extracted by EDTA solution (r = 0.710*** and r = 0.564**). Plant Zn and Mn were also well predicted by the acid extraction. The absence of correlation for plant Cu vs. soil Cu occurred probably because of wheat concentrations almost constant, ranging from 5.0 to 8.0 mg/kg.     

Comparison of Copper,Manganese, and Zinc Extraction with Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, and DTPA Solutions for Soils of the Brazilian Coastal Tablelands

Deficiency of micronutrients is increasing in crop plants in recent years in Oxisols and Ultisols in the tropics. The predominant soils in the coastal tablelands of Brazil are Ultisols and Oxisols, with low cation exchange capacity and kaolinitic clay mineralogy. Soil copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) extracted by the Mehlich 1 solution, currently used in the regional soil-testing laboratories, were compared with those extracted by the Mehlich 3 and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) solutions in a greenhouse experiment with 10 soil samples (0–20 cm deep) collected from representative Ultisols and Oxisols from various locations in the region. Corn was grown as a test crop, and its dry matter and micronutrient uptake was measured at 30 days of growth. Soil Cu, Mn, and Zn extracted with the three solutions were significantly correlated (0.65–0.95 range for r values), with the Mehlich 3 solution extracting greater quantities than the Mehlich 1 and DTPA solutions. Zinc and Cu taken up by corn plants were significantly related to their soil-extractable levels measured at harvest with all three of the solutions, except for Zn DTPA. However, similar relations between plant uptake and soil extractable Mn were poor, except for DTPA extracting solution.     

Extractability of available boron and its sequential fractionation in alkaline calcareous soils of India

The evaluation of different extractants for boron (B) estimation and the study of different boron pools is of utmost importance for the effective use of native and soil applied B. For evaluation of different extractants in diverse soils, twenty-one soil samples varying in soil properties were analyzed to estimate chemical pools of B and available B by using extractants (NH₄OAc, AB-DTPA, hot and cold CaCl₂, tartaric acid, HCl, mannitol, and hot water soluble). Available B extracted by the most commonly used method (HWS-B) was significantly and positively correlated with that extracted by other reagents (r = 0.772** to 0.905**) and the maximum value was observed with HCC-B (r = 0.917**) followed by Mann-B (0.905**). The amount of B in readily soluble, specifically adsorbed, oxide bound, organically bound and residual mineral fraction varied from 0.17 to 2.71, 0.14 to 1.77, 0.31 to 5.88, 0.56 to 7.42 and 0.17 to 2.71% of total B in soils, respectively. Thus, HCC and Mann methods can be used as extracting reagent of B in alkaline calcareous soils instead of HWS.     

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.