Influence of Moisture Conditions on Residual Zn Concentrations Applied as Synthetic Chelates

The aim of this study was to compare the behavior of residual zinc (Zn) from different synthetic chelates containing the chelating agents EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetate acid), HEDTA (hydroxyethyl-ethylenediaminetriacetate acid), and DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetate acid) applied at different rates. This incubation experiment was carried out under two different moisture conditions (60 percent field capacity and waterlogged) and in two different soils from the central region of Spain (Soil_acid, Typic Haploxeralf, and Soil_calc, Typic Calcixerept). The potentially available Zn concentration and short-term available Zn were estimated using the DTPA-TEA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid–triethanolamine) and LMWOAs (low-molecular-weight organic acids) methods. In both soils, the amount of water-soluble Zn was estimated under 60 percent field-capacity conditions. Immediately available Zn was estimated under waterlogged conditions. The Zn concentrations depended on the soil type, the experimental time, and the Zn chelate used. Under both moisture conditions, the soil characteristics caused the residual effects of Zn-EDTA in Soil_acid and Zn-DTPA-HEDTA-EDTA applied to Soil_calc, to produce the greatest Zn concentrations.     

Distribution of Zinc Fractions in Some Major Soils of India and the Impact on Nutrition of Rice

Abstract

Speciation study of microelements in soils is useful to assess their retention and release by the soil to the plant. Laboratory and greenhouse investigations were conducted for five soils of different agro‐ecological zones (viz., Bhuna, Delhi, Cooch‐Behar, Gurgaon, and Pabra) with diverse physicochemical properties to study the distribution of zinc (Zn) among the soil fractions with respect to the availability of Zn species for uptake by rice plant. A sequential extraction procedure was used that fractionated total soil Zn into water‐soluble (WS), exchangeable (EX), specifically adsorbed (SA), acid‐soluble (AS), manganese (Mn)‐oxide‐occluded (Mn‐OX), organic‐matter‐occluded (OM), amorphous iron (Fe)‐oxide‐bound (AFe‐OX), crystalline Fe‐oxide‐bound (CFe‐OX), and residual (RES) forms. There was a wide variation in the magnitude of these fractions among the soils. The studies revealed that more than 90% of the total Zn content occurred in the relatively inactive clay lattice and other mineral‐bound form (RES) and that only a small fraction occurred in the forms of WS, EX, OM, AFe‐OX, and CFe‐OX. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars differ widely in their sensitivity to Zn deficiency. Results suggested that Zn in water‐soluble, organic complexes, exchange positions, and amorphous sesquioxides were the fractions (pools) that played a key role in the uptake of Zn by the rice varieties (viz., Pusa‐933‐87‐1‐11‐88‐1‐2‐1, Pusa‐44, Pusa‐834, Jaya, and Pusa‐677). Isotopic ally exchangeable Zn (labile Zn) was recorded higher in Typic Ustrochrept of Pabra soil, and uptake of Zn by rice cultivars was also higher in this soil. The kinetic parameters such as maximum influx at high concentrations (I_max) and nutrient concentration in solution where influx is one half of I_max (K_m) behaved differentially with respect to varieties. The highest I_max value recorded was 9.2×10^?7 µmol cm^?2 s^?1 at the 5 mg kg^?1 Zn rate for Pusa‐933‐87‐1‐11‐88‐1‐2‐1, and the same was lowest for Pusa‐44, being 4.6×10^?7 µmol cm^?2 s^?1 at the 5 mg kg^?1 Zn rate. The K_m value was highest for Pusa‐44 (2.1×10^?4µmol cm^?2 s^?1) and lowest for Pusa‐933‐87‐1‐11‐88‐1‐2‐1 (1.20×10^?4µmol cm^?2 s^?1). The availability of Zn to rice cultivars in Typic Ustrochrepts of Bhuna and Delhi soils, which are characterized by higher activation energy and entropy factor, was accompanied by breakage of bonds or by significant structural changes.     

Phosphorus deficiency diagnosis and fertilization in mungbean grown in rainfed calcareous soils of Pakistan

Abstract

Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L). Wilczek] grown in rainfed calcareous soils suffers with phosphorus (P) deficiency. In view of high cost and low use efficiency of P fertilizer, greenhouse, incubation, and field experiments were carried out for determining P deficiency diagnostic criteria and efficient method of P fertilizer application in mungbean. In a pot culture experiment using a P‐deficient Typic Ustocherpt, maximum increase in grain yield with P was 686% over the control; and fertilizer requirement for near‐maximum (95%) grain yield was 30 mg P kg^‐1 soil where fertilizer was mixed with the whole soil volume (broadcast) and 14 mg P kg^‐1 where mixed with 1/4th soil volume (band placement). In a field experiment on a P‐deficient Typic Camborthid, however, maximum increase in grain yield was 262% over the control. Band placement resulted in 73% fertilizer saving as P requirement was 66 kg ha^‐1 by broadcast and only 18 kg ha^‐1 by band placement. Critical P concentration range appears to be 0.27–0.33% in young whole shoots (≤30 cm tall) and 0.25–0.30% in recently matured leaves. In an incubation study using the same Typic Ustochrept, P extracted by the sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), the ammonium bicarbonate‐diethlylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (AB)‐DTPA), and the Mehlich 3 soil tests correlated closely with each other, P concentration of whole shoots, and total P uptake by mungbean plants. Critical soil test P levels for pot grown mungbean were NaHCO₃,9 mg kg^‐1; AB‐DTPA, 7 mg kg^‐1; and Mehlich 3, 23 mg dm^‐3 soil. The more efficient and economical ‘universal’ soil test, AB‐DTPA, is recommended for P fertility evaluation of calcareous soils.     

Critical soil phosphorus of a low‐P loess‐derived soil as affected by storage temperature

Abstract

Overwintering soil temperature may influence crop response to phosphorus (P) and indices of P availability in the humid, temperate, transitional climate of Tennessee. The effects of P fertilization and soil incubation temperature on sorghumsudangrass (Sorghum bicolor x S. Sudanese) grown on a Typic Hapludalf was investigated in a greenhouse study. In order to determine the effect of temperature on P availability, soils were incubated prior to cropping, at a constant temperature of 6°C or an average diurnal temperature of 24 and 36°C. Reagent grade Ca(H₂PO₄)₂.H₂O was used as the fertilizer source and applied at rates of 0, 10, 20, and 30 mg P kg^‐1 for the first test and 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg P kg_‐ ¹ for the second test. Critical P concentration in the shoots for optimum yield was found to be 1.3 mg g‐¹, corresponding to soil solution and labile P concentrations of 5.5 μmol L^‐1 and 167 μg g^‐1, respectively. Optimum yield occurred for applications of >65 mg P kg^‐1 and was unaffected by soil incubation temperature. Applied P rates affected extractable P by five chemical extractants (Bray I, Bray II, Mehlich I, Mehlich III, and Mississippi), but soil incubation temperature had no affect. The extractants, however, were poorly correlated to plant P uptake and no one extractant appeared preferable to the others as an indicator of P availability.     

Zinc and copper toxicity in peanut,soybean, rice,and corn in soil mixtures

Abstract

Applications of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) at excessive rates may result in phytotoxicity. Experiments were conducted with mixtures of soils that were similar except for their Zn and Cu levels. The critical toxicity levels (CTL) in the soils and plants for these elements were determined. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], corn (Zea mays L.), and rice (Oryza sativa L.) were the crops grown. One soil mixture had Mehlich 3‐extractable Zn concentrations up to 300 mg dm^‐3 with no corresponding increase in soil Cu; two soil mixtures had soil Zn concentrations up to 400 and 800 mg dm^‐3 with a corresponding increase in soil Cu up to 20 and 25 mg dm^‐3, respectively; and four soil mixtures had no increase in soil Zn, but had Mehlich 1‐extractable Cu concentrations from 6 to 286 mg kg^‐1. Under a given set of greenhouse conditions, the estimated Mehlich 3‐extractable Zn CTL was 36 mg dm^‐3 for peanut, 70 mg dm^‐3 for soybean, between 160 and 320 mg dm^‐3 for rice, and >300 mg dm^‐3 for corn. No soil Cu CTL was apparent for peanut or soybean, but for corn it was 17 mg dm^‐3 and for rice 13 mg dm^‐3. With different greenhouse procedures and the Mehlich 1 extractant, the soil CTL for rice was only 4.4 mg kg^‐1. Therefore, peanut and soybean were more sensitive to Zn toxicity, whereas corn and rice were more sensitive to Cu toxicity. Plant Zn CTL for peanut was 230 mg kg^‐1, while that for soybean was 140 mg kg^‐1. Copper appeared to be toxic to corn and rice at plant concentrations exceeding 20 mg kg^‐1.     

Sour Orange (Citrus Aurantium L.) Growth is Strongly Mycorrhizal Dependent in Terms of Phosphorus (P) Nutrition Rather than Zinc (Zn)

The partial sterilization of soil eliminates useful microorganisms, resulting in the reduced growth of mycorrhizae-dependent citrus plants, which are often unresponsive to the application of fertilizer. Research was conducted to test the hypothesis that indigenous mycorrhizae (IM) inoculation is as efficient as selected mycorrhizal inoculation under sterile and non-sterile soil conditions. Rhizophagus clarus and indigenous mycorrhiza spores, isolated from citrus orchards, were used as arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi under greenhouse conditions with sterile and non-sterile Çanakçi series (Typic xerofluvent) soils with low phosphorus (P) fertility. Different P (0 and 100 mg kg^?1) and zinc (Zn) (0, 5 and 10 mg kg^?1) concentrations were used at the start of the experiments. The shoot, root dry weight (RDW), root colonization, and P, Zn, iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) concentrations of the shoot were determined; mycorrhizae dependency (MD) was also calculated.

The results indicate that R. clarus and indigenous mycorrhiza in sterile and non-sterile soil conditions considerably increased the growth of citrus plants. Owing to existing beneficial indigenous rhizosphere microorganisms, citrus plant growth without inoculation was better in non-sterile soils than in the sterile soils. In non-sterilized soil, the plant growth parameters of R. clarus-inoculated soils were higher than those of indigenous mycorrhiza-inoculated soils. Mycorrhizae infection increased certain citrus plant growth parameters, such as root infection, biomass and nutrient uptake (P, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu). In sterile soil, the addition of up to 5 mg kg^?1 soil Zn and the inoculation of R. clarus significantly increased plant growth; inoculation with indigenous mycorrhiza produced more dry weight upon the addition of up to 100 mg kg^?1 phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅). Under sterile soil conditions, without considering fertilizer addition, MD was found to be higher than that of non-sterile soils. In general, the contribution of the indigenous soil spores is significant. However, indigenous soil mycorrhizae may need to be managed for better efficiency in increasing plant growth and nutrient uptake. The major finding was that the inoculation of citrus seedlings with mycorrhiza is necessary under both sterilized and non-sterilized soil conditions.     

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.     

Use of reactive phosphate rocks as fertilizer on acid upland soils in Indonesia: accumulation of cadmium and zinc in soils and shoots of maize plants

A pot experiment was conducted to study the contribution of reactive phosphate rocks (RPRs) on the accumulation of Cd and Zn in 10 acid upland soils in Indonesia and shoots of Zea mays plants grown on these soils. Two types of RPR were used at a rate of 0.5 g (kg soil)^–1: RPRL containing 4 mg Cd kg^–1 and 224 mg Zn kg^–1, and RPRH containing 69 mg Cd kg^–1 and 745 mg Zn kg^–1. Zea mays was harvested at 6 weeks after planting. The application of RPRH significantly increased the concentrations of Cd in the shoots. The application of this RPR also increased the amount of Cd which could be extracted by 0.5 M NH₄‐acetate + 0.02 M EDTA pH 4.65 from the soils. More than 90% of the added Cd remained in the soil. As Zn is an essential element and the studied acid upland soils are Zn‐deficient, increased plant growth upon RPR application might be partly attributed to Zn present in the phosphate rock. However, more experiments are needed to confirm this hypothesis. The Cd and Zn concentrations and CEC of the soils were important soil factors influencing the concentrations of Cd and Zn in the shoots of maize plants grown on these soils.     

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.     

不同Zn浓度对黑麦草根分泌物、根际Zn形态及植物Zn蓄集的影响

A glasshouse experiment was conducted using a root-bag technique to study the root exudates, rhizosphere Zn fractions, and Zn concentrations and accumulations of two ryegrass cultivars (Lolium perenne L. cvs. Airs and Tede) at different soil Zn levels (0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 mmol kg-1 soil). Results indicated that plant growth of the two cultivars was not adversely affected at soil Zn level≤8 mmol kg-1. Plants accumulated more Zn as soil Zn levels increased, and Zn concentrations of shoots were about 540 /μg g-1 in Aris and 583.9μg g-1 in Tede in response to 16 mmol Zn kg-1 soil. Zn ratios of shoots to roots across the soil Zn levels were higher in Tede than in Airs, corresponding with higher rhizosphere available Zn fractions (exchangeable, bound to manganese oxides, and bound to organic matter) in Airs than in Tede. Low-molecular-weight (LMW) organic acids (oxalic, tartaric, malic, and succinic acids) and amino acids (proline, threonine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid, etc.) were detected in root exudates, and the concentrations of LMW organic acids and amino acids increased with addition of 4 mmol Zn kg-1 soil compared with zero Zn addition. Higher rhizosphere concentrations of oxalic acid, glutamic acid, alanine, phenylalanine, leucine, and proline in Tede than in Airs likely resulted in increased Zn uptake from the soil by Tede than by Airs. The results suggested that genotypic differences in Zn accumulations were mainly because of different root exudates and rhizosphere Zn fractions.     

Mn and Zn Micronutrients Concentrations in Acidic Soils and Source Identification Using Multivariate Statistical Methods

Available (extractable by diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, DTPA) manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) micronutrient concentrations in acidic agricultural soils from western Greece and their relationships with physicochemical soil parameters were evaluated by sampling and analyzing 82 representative topsoil samples. Manganese concentration in the studied soil samples (on average 31.67 mg kg^?1) was of both sufficient and high levels, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food of the United Kingdom (MAFF classification, in 15.9% and 79.3% of the soil samples, respectively). In contrast, 39% of the soil samples were classified as very low and 58.5% as low in respect to the available Zn concentration (on average 1.36 mg kg^?1). Nevertheless, 9.8% of the studied soils contained less Zn than is commonly accepted as plant‐growth critical level. The dataset was treated using multivariate statistics to describe the relationships of the micronutrients in the studied soils and the factors that influence these relationships. Factor analysis identified soil acidity as the main factor affecting available Mn concentration and phosphate fertilizer application as the main contributor to plant‐available Zn concentration.     

Zinc Deficiency in Rainfed Wheat in Pakistan: Magnitude,Spatial Variability,Management, and Plant Analysis Diagnostic Norms

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a widespread micronutrient disorder in crops grown in calcareous soils; therefore, we conducted a nutrient indexing of farmer‐grown rainfed wheat (Triticum aestivum, cv. Pak‐81) in 1.82 Mha Potohar plateau of Pakistan by sampling up to 30 cm tall whole shoots and associated soils. The crop was Zn deficient in more than 80% of the sampled fields, and a good agreement existed between plant Zn concentration and surface soil AB‐DTPA Zn content (r=0.52; p≤0.01). Contour maps of the sampled areas, prepared by geostatistical analysis techniques and computer graphics, delineated areas of Zn deficiency and, thus, would help focus future research and development. In two field experiments on rainfed wheat grown in alkaline Zn‐deficient Typic Haplustalfs (AB‐DTPA Zn, 0.49–0.52 mg kg^?1), soil‐applied Zn increased grain yield up to 12% over control. Fertilizer requirement for near‐maximum wheat grain yield was 2.0 kg Zn ha^?1, with a VCR of 4∶1. Zinc content in mature grain was a good indicator of soil Zn availability status, and plant tissue critical Zn concentration ranges appear to be 16–20 mg kg^?1 in young whole shoots, 12–16 mg kg^?1 in flag leaves, and 20–24 mg Zn kg^?1 in mature grains.     

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.     

Role of soil constituents in fixation of soluble Zn, Cu, Ni and Cd added to soils

Slow immobilization of trace metals in soil, termed ‘fixation’, affects their natural attenuation but it is still unclear which reactions occur. Twenty‐eight soils were selected to assess the role of Fe oxides and carbonates on fixation of Cu, Cd, Zn and Ni. Soils included samples from 2 toposequences (Vietnam, Spain) and 13 European topsoils with different soil characteristics (pH 3.4–7.7). Samples were amended with 250 mg Zn kg⁻¹, 100 mg Cu kg⁻¹, 80 mg Ni kg⁻¹ and 2.5 mg Cd kg⁻¹ as metal salts and incubated for 850 days. Fixation was measured as the increase of the fraction of added metals that were not isotopically exchangeable. Fixation increased with time and was, averaged over all the soils, 43% (Cu), 41% (Zn), 41% (Ni) and 28% (Cd) after 850 days. Metal fixation within samples from each toposequence was generally positively related to total Fe oxide concentration (Fe_d) for Zn, Ni and Cd. However, the fixation of Cd, Zn and Ni was mainly explained by pH and not by Fe_d when considering all soils. Fixation of Zn and Cd in soils with pH >7.0 increased with increasing concentrations of carbonates at initial ageing times. Fixed fractions of Zn, Ni and Cd were significantly released when experimentally removing 50% of carbonates by acidification. Fixation of Cu was most poorly related to soil properties. Our data suggest that fixation of Cd, Zn and Ni is related to a pH‐dependent diffusion into oxides and that of Cd and Zn also to diffusion and/or coprecipitation in carbonates. Fixation of Ni at neutral pH may also be related to stabilization of precipitates that form readily in soil.     

The effect of EDTA on the extractability of Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd) and Nickel (Ni) in Vertisol and Alluvial soils

Ethylendiamintetraacetic acid (EDTA) is persistent in the environment. The presence of EDTA in soil may alter the mobility and transport of Zn, Cd and Ni in soils because of the formation of water soluble chelates, thus increasing the potential for metal pollution of natural waters. Mobility of metals is related to their extractability. To investigate metal extractability affected by EDTA, Zn, Cd and Ni were added to Vertisol and Alluvial soil at rates of 50, 2 and 5 mg kg^-1, respectively. Both natural and metal amended soils were treated with Na₂EDTA at rates of 0; 0.2 and 0.5 mg kg^-1. After five months of incubation soil samples were extracted with 0.1 N HCl, 0.005 M DTPA + 0.01 M CaCl₂ + 0.1 M TEA (0.005 M Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid + 0.01 M Calcium cloride + 0.1 M Triethanolamine) and 1 M Mg(NO₃)₂, the latter of which extracts the exchangeable from of metald (Zn, Cd and Ni).

According to experiment results, Zn, Cd and Ni in all extraction increased with increasing rates of EDTA in the natural and metal amended soils.     

Soil test calibration studies for formulation of phosphorus fertilizer recommendations for maize in Morogoro district,Tanzania. I. evaluation of soil test methods

Abstract

Optimum crop production depends, among other things, on the maintenance of adequate plant nutrients in the root zone. The objective of this study was to find a reliable index for assessing needs for supplemental phosphorus (P) in soils of Morogoro District, Tanzania. Six indices of P availability, namely: Bray and Kurtz No. 1 (BK1), Bray and KurtzNo.2 (BK2), Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, Olsen and ammonium bicarbonate‐DTPA (AB‐DTPA), were evaluated. Evaluation of the P indices involved relating extractable P contents by different methods with crop response data expressed as relative yields. The response data was obtained from pot trials with soil samples from ten repesentative soils designated as benchmark soils of the district. Treatments were absolute control, 0, 10, 20, and 30 mg P kg^‐1 of soil. Correlation of maize relative yields with soil test values by the six indices of P availability resulted in correlation coefficients ranging from 0.65 to 0.90. The Olsen method gave the highest r value suggesting that it was superior to the others. However, using the Cate and Nelson approach, the Olsen and ammonium bicarbonate‐DTPA methods were found to be at par and superior to the others. They each accounted for 76% of the variations observed in maize relative yields, respectively. The critical P levels for the indices were 10.50 mg P kg^‐1 for Olsen and 2.80 mg P kg^‐1 for the AB‐DTPA method. Phosphorus fertility categories were delineated in relation to Olsen extractable P as: low (<6.50 mg P kg^‐1), medium (6.50 to 23.0 mg P kg^‐1), and high (>23.0 mg P kg^‐1). Based on this classification it was determined that 16%, 25 %, and 59% of the surveyed area had low, medium, and high P levels, respectively. About 40% of the surveyed area may, therefore, require fertilization with P for optimum yields.     

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.     

Evaluation of manganese inorganic fertilizer sources and Mehlich‐3 extractant for prediction of manganese deficiency in soybeans on a Sharkey silty clay

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was conducted on two Sharkey silty clay (very fine, montmorillonitic, nonacid, thermic, Vertic Haplaquept) soils (SharkeyA and‐B) to compare MnSO₄ and two Mn‐oxysulfatc sources (oxysulfate‐A and‐B) and to evaluate the Mehlich‐3 extractant. Soils were collected from a soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] field with (Sharkey‐A) and without (Sharkey‐B) a history of Mn deficiency symptoms. Treatments consisted of two lime treatments, O and 2000 mg kg^‐1, and three Mn rates, 0, 20, and 40 mg kg^‐1. Each source was broadcast in granular form. Manganese sulfate was also applied in solution. Soybean plants were grown for 40 days. Dry weight, whole‐plant Mn concentration, and total Mn uptake were measured. Extractable soil Mn was determined using the Mehlich‐3 extractant. Dry weight was increased by applied Mn only on the Sharkey‐A soil, especially for the limed treatment. The Mehlich‐3 extractant delineated between the responsive (2.3 mg Mn kg^‐1) and non‐responsive (6.0 mg Mn kg^‐1) Sharkey soils. On the limed Sharkey‐A soil, sulfate applied in the granular form was more effective than sulfate applied in solution. It was also more effective than the oxysulfate sources, and the oxysulfate‐A was superior to the oxysulfate‐B source. Whole‐plant Mn concentration and uptake followed trends similar to those observed with dry weight, particularly on the Sharkey‐A soil. Multiple regression analyses suggested that soil pH, along with Mehlich‐3 extractable Mn, may improve the Mn soil test interpretation.     

Micronutrient deficiencies in rainfed calcareous soils of Pakistan. IV. Zinc nutrition of sorghum

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) deficiency in crops is a major micronutrient disorder particularly in alkaline‐calcareous soils like those of the rainfed Potohar plateau in Pakistan. A nutrient indexing of sorghum (cv. Potohar 4–8) by sampling <30 cm tall whole shoots and associated soils from 255 random field locations revealed that the crop was deficient in Zn in 54% fields in Jehlum district and 64% in Chakwal. In a greenhouse experiment using a Zn‐deficient calcareous Typic Ustorthents, maximum increase in grain yield with Zn fertilizer was 177% over control in improved sorghum variety (cv. PARC‐SS‐1) and only 10% in local sorghum (cv. Potohar 4–8). Although biomass production of cv. PARC‐SS‐1 was much greater compared with cv. Potohar 4–8, fertilizer Zn requirement for the two cultivars was not much different, 8.3 mg Zn/kg soil for improved sorghum variety and 7.3 mg Zn/kg for local sorghum variety. Contrary to its higher sensitivity to Zn deficiency, the improved sorghum variety was more efficient in utilizing fertilizer Zn. Despite low Zn availability in the Potohar fields, local sorghum is not expected to respond to fertilizer Zn. However, adequate Zn fertility must be assured for cultivating improved sorghum in these soils. Zinc content in mature grains of sorghum proved a good index of soil Zn fertility status. Internal Zn requirement in foliar plant parts of cv. PARC‐SS‐1 (whole shoots, 33 mg/kg; leaves, 22 mg/kg) was greater than in cv. Potohar 4–8 (whole shoots, 27 mg/kg; leaves, 20 mg/kg). In contrast, critical Zn content in grains of the improved sorghum variety (10 mg/kg) was lower than of local variety (14 mg/kg). Three soil tests were equally effective in determining soil Zn fertility. Critical soil Zn levels for cv. PARC‐SS‐1 were: DTPA, 3.4 mg/kg; AB‐DTPA, 3.7 mg/kg; and Mehlich 3, 8.0 mg/dm³. Similar to internal Zn requirement in foliar plant parts, soil test critical Zn levels were lower for cv. Potohar 4–8, i.e., DTPA, 3.1 mg/kg; AB‐DTPA, 3.5 mg/kg; and Mehlich 3, 7.2 mg/dm³. Because of their better efficiency, ‘universal’ soil tests appear superior to the DTPA test for routine Zn analysis.     

Predicting heavy metal transfer from soil to plant: potential use of Freundlich‐type functions

Soil‐plant transfer of metals is a nonlinear process. We therefore aimed at evaluating the potential of Freundlich‐type functions (c_Plant = b × c_Soil^a) to predict Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain and leaf (c_Plant) from soil concentrations (c_Soil). Wheat plants and soil A horizons, mainly developed from Holocene sediments, were sampled at 54 agricultural sites in Slovakia. Metals were extracted from soils with 0.025 M EDTA at pH 4.6 and concentrated HNO₃/HClO₄ (3:1); plant samples were digested with concentrated HNO₃. Total metal concentrations of soil samples were 0.07—25 mg Cd kg^—1, 9.3—220 mg Cu kg^—1, 14—1827 mg Pb kg^—1, and 34—1454 mg Zn kg^—1. On average, between 20 % (Zn) and 80 % (Cd) of the total concentrations were EDTA‐extractable. The total metal concentrations of grain samples were < 0.01—1.3 mg Cd kg^—1, 1.3—6.6 mg Cu kg^—1, < 0.05—0.30 mg Pb kg^—1, and 8—104 mg Zn kg^—1. The leaves contained up to 3.2 mg Cd kg^—1, 111 mg Cu kg^—1, 4.3 mg Pb kg^—1, and 177 mg Zn kg^—1. Linear regression without data transformation was precluded because of the nonnormal data distribution. The Freundlich‐type function was suitable to predict Cd (grain: r = 0.71, leaf: 0.86 for the log‐transformed data) and Zn concentrations (grain: 0.69, leaf: 0.68) in wheat grain and leaf from the EDTA‐extractable metal concentrations. The prediction of Cu and Pb concentrations in grain (Cu: r = 0.44, Pb: 0.41) was poorer and in leaf only possible for Pb (0.50). We suggest to use the Freundlich‐type function for defining threshold values instead of linear regression because it is more appropriate to simulate the nonlinear uptake processes and because it offers interpretation potential. The results suggest that the coefficient b of the Freundlich‐type function depends on the intensity of metal uptake, while the coefficient a reflects the plants' capability to control the heavy metal uptake. The latter is also sensitive to metal translocation in plants and atmospheric deposition.<?show $6#>