Extractable Silicon in Soils of the South African Sugar Industry and Relationships with Crop Uptake

Reports of sugarcane yield responses to silicon (Si), coupled with mounting evidence that elevated crop Si levels reduce both biotic and abiotic stresses, account for the interest in the Si nutrition of this crop. In terms of managing Si supplies to sugarcane in South Africa, uncertainties exist regarding, first, the reserves of plant-available Si in soils, and second, the reliability of soil-test methods for predicting Si availability. In this study, extractable Si was measured in 112 soils collected from sugarcane-producing fields in South Africa. Soils were selected on the basis of dominant soil types and included Inceptisols, Alfisols, Mollisols, Vertisols, Oxisols, Entisols, and Ultisols, varying widely in chemical properties, texture, and extent of weathering. Extractants employed were 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and 0.02 N sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄). Silicon extracted with 0.02 N H₂SO₄ ranged from 2 to 293 mg kg^?1, whereas with 0.01 M CaCl₂ the range was 5 to 123 mg kg^?1. With both extractants, extractable Si decreased significantly with decreasing pH, exchangeable calcium (Ca), and total cations. In soils with potassium chloride (KCl)–extractable Al+H levels of greater than 0.5 cmol_cL^?1, extractable Si levels were consistently low, suggesting that soluble Al is implicated in reducing plant-available Si levels. Extractable Si levels were not related to the Bache and Williams P-sorption indices of soils. In the second part of the investigation, sugarcane leaf Si concentrations from 28 sites were related to soil extractable Si levels. The CaCl₂ soil test proved markedly superior to H₂SO₄ as a predictive test for leaf Si levels.     

Evaluation of Selected Extractants for Plant-Available Silicon in Rice Soils of Southern India

The extractable silicon (Si) using selected extractants irrespective of the soils used for the study was in the order of 0.005 M sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) > 0.1 M citric acid > N sodium acetate (NaOAc) 2 > N NaOAc 1 > 0.5 M acetic acid 3 > 0.5 M acetic acid 2 > 0.5 M acetic acid 1> 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂) > 0.5 M ammonium acetate (NH4OAc) > distilled water 4 > distilled water 1. Silicon extraction with N NaOAc 1 appeared to be the most suitable for evaluating Si, followed by extraction with 0.5 M acetic acid 2 and N NaOAc 2. These extractants showed the greatest degree of significant correlation with the percentage of Si in straw and grain, as well as Si uptake by straw and grain. These methods also rapidly extract soil Si in comparison to the other methods and appear to be the most suitable for routine soil testing for plant-available Si in the rice soils of southern India.     

Sugarcane Biomass Yield Response to Phosphorus Fertilizer on Four Mineral Soils as Related to Extractable Soil Phosphorus

ABSTRACT

The efficient use of phosphorus (P) fertilizers is very important in South Florida so that the environmental impact is minimal while meeting crop demand. To ensure that this is accomplished, an updated soil test P calibration is needed for sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) grown on Florida mineral soils, which accounts for almost 30% of the total sugarcane planted in the state. An outdoor pot experiment was conducted with the objective of evaluating four soil extractants for potential use in soil test P calibrations. Sugarcane cultivar CL 88–4730 was grown in 26L pots in a randomized complete block design with four replications of four P fertilizer rates (0, 38, 76, and 152 mg P L^?1 soil) and four soil series (2 Spodosols, 1 Entisol, and 1 Alfisol). Sugarcane biomass was significantly increased with P fertilizer application and extractable soil P significantly increased with increasing P fertilizer rate. Strongest relationships of extractable soil P with relative fresh weight yield were determined with the water, acetic acid, and ammonium acetate extractants. All extractants tested, including Mehlich 3, had significant relationships with relative yield and leaf P concentration and so all these extractants should be considered in further field calibration studies with sugarcane on Florida mineral soils.

Abbreviations: EAA: Everglades Agricultural Area; EREC: Everglades Research and Education Center; OM: organic matter; TSP: Triple superphosphate     

Chemical Extractability of Lead in Field-Contaminated Soils: Implications for Estimating Total Lead

Lead (Pb) is frequently present in urban soils at concentrations of concern for human health. Regulations for Pb are based on total soil concentrations as determined by acid digestion, but a less expensive screening test for Pb would be useful in facilitating more thorough soil testing of urban areas if it could be shown to correlate strongly to total soil Pb. In this study, three extractants (0.1 M citrate, MM, and 1 M nitric acid) were evaluated for their ability to estimate the total Pb in contaminated soils. Nitric acid not only extracted a greater fraction of total soil Pb but also produced the strongest correlation to total Pb and is concluded to be the superior extractant for a soil Pb screening test. As the spatial distribution of Pb was observed in selected soils to be highly heterogeneous on the micron scale, thorough soil homogenization prior to testing is recommended.     

Phosphorus Fertilizer Calibration for Sugarcane on Everglades Histosols

A calibrated soil test for phosphorus (P) fertilizer application to sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) grown on organic soils in southern Florida is an important best-management practice for minimizing P loads in water draining to the Everglades. The current calibration uses water as the soil extractant, which has the limitations of being very sensitive to pH and being most applicable to short-season crops. Phosphorus fertilizer rate studies at six locations (20 total crop years) were analyzed to develop an updated soil-test P calibration for sugarcane on organic soils. Phosphorus extracted with water, acetic acid, and Bray 2 did not consistently relate well to crop response. A new P soil-test calibration for sugarcane is proposed based on Mehlich 3 soil extraction, with a maximum rate of 36 kg P ha^?1 with ≤ 10 g P m^?3 in preplant soil samples and no P recommended with >30 g P m^?3.     

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.     

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.     

Comparative evaluation of Ca chloride and Ca phosphate for extractable sulfur in soils with a wide range in pH

Deficiency of sulfur (S) is becoming widespread in the rainfed systems of India, and there is increasing need for diagnosing the deficiency. Calcium chloride and Ca phosphate are commonly used for extracting available S in soils. Because of cost and the ease of availability locally, we prefer using Ca chloride as an extractant over Ca phosphate, for extracting available S. However, there is paucity of data on the comparative evaluation of the two extractants to extract available S, especially in soils having a wide range in natural pH (from acidic to alkaline range). It is recognized that soil pH plays a dominant role in the adsorption–desorption and extractability of sulfate‐S in soils. We compared the extraction of S by Ca chloride and Ca phosphate in 86 Indian soils having a wide range in pH (4.5 to 10.6). Sulfur in the extracts was determined by ICP‐AES. Considering all the 86 soil samples tested, there was an excellent agreement between the values of extractable S determined by using the two extractants (r = 0.96, p < 0.001). However, the correlation coefficient (r) between the values of extractable S by the two reagents, although highly significant, varied among the groups of soil samples according to the range in soil pH. The highest correlation coefficient (r = 0.99, p < 0.0001, n = 17) was found for soils with pH in the alkaline range (8.5–10.6), and the lowest correlation coefficient (r = 0.71, p < 0.0001, n = 58) was obtained with a set of soil samples with pH in the acidic range (4.5–6.5). For soil samples having pH in the near‐neutral range (6.7–7.3), an excellent agreement was observed (r = 0.93, p < 0.0001, n =11) between the extractable‐S values obtained by the two extractants. While Ca phosphate extracted higher amount of S compared to Ca chloride in soil samples with pH in the acidic range, the two extractants were equally effective for soil samples with pH in the neutral or alkaline range. Our results suggest that for most of the soils in the semiarid tropical regions, which have pH in the neutral to alkaline range, Ca chloride can replace Ca phosphate as an extractant for removing available S in such soils.     

提取剂和土水比对旱耕地土壤无机和有机磷的提取效应

比较了O lsen(0.5 mol L-1NaHCO3)和B ray-1(0.03 mol L-1NH4F-0.025 mol L-1HC l)提取剂土水比1∶4和1∶20(W/V),对我国5种类型旱耕地土壤(pHKC l3.3~7.4)无机磷(Pi)和有机磷(Po)及外加正磷酸盐态无机磷的提取效应。结果表明,以O lsen提取剂土水比1∶20对土壤Pi和Po的提取效果最佳,其测定结果是评价土壤磷素供应能力(有效磷)和活性有机磷含量较为适宜的指标。测定的土壤大多数(占60%)磷素供应能力较差(O lsen-Pi为4.2~14.0mg kg-1),应适当加强其磷素的投入。测定的土壤活性有机磷(O lsen-PO)含量为1.4~37.9 mg kg-1,占土壤全磷的0.2%~15.8%,大多数(75%)土壤占1%~6%。采用O lsen提取剂时土壤外加Pi的固定率随土水比减小而增高,当土水比1∶4提取时,酸性和强酸性(pHKC l3.3~5.5)土壤对外加Pi的固定率达40%~86%,据此推测实际田间条件下土壤对外加Pi的固定率更大。表明酸性和强酸性旱耕地土壤对外加Pi具有强烈的固定作用。     

Extractants for available boron in limed acid soils and its correlation in crops with high carbon storage capacity (Tectona grandis)

The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of six extractants for available boron in acid soils undergoing to liming, and to correlate the results of soil analysis with foliar response seen in the teak plants in greenhouse conditions. Acid soil samples were collected and their chemical characterization was performed using standard analysis protocols. Later, agricultural lime was added to the experimental units in greenhouse conditions in order to control the soil acidity and these were incubated for 30 days. Six extracts for available boron were evaluated and correlated with response in the plant by foliar analysis. It is concluded that a high dissolution power of boron extractant solution produces a high sensitive in the determination of the changes of boron concentration in the limed acid soil. These methods are seen to be not adequate for the determination of available boron contents at high concentrations.     

Comparison of EDTA and ammonium Bicarbonate-DTPA for the extraction of phosphorus in calcareous soils from Kerman,Iran

Developing a fast and reliable soil testing method is critical for improving soil testing efficiency and ensuring reliable fertilizer recommendation. The objectives of this study were to evaluate sodium ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (Na₂-EDTA) as a replacement for ammonium bicarbonate-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (AB-DTPA) to extract phosphorus (P) to determinate the relationships between extractable P and its uptake by crop in calcareous soils. Na₂-EDTA and AB-DTPA was compared by the amounts of extracted P by analyzing soil samples collected from agricultural production areas. There were significant correlations between Na₂-EDTA and AB-DTPA for soil test P based on soils collected from the agricultural field. Soil test P by both extractants was significantly correlated with plant P concentration. Na₂-EDTA was identified as an alternate improved extraction method instead of AB-DTPA in calcareous soils based on this study. However, more work will be needed to identify the correlation of the two extractants and crop responses under a field condition.     

酸性土壤有效汞提取方法研究

为了更好地评价酸性土壤中汞的生物有效性和生态风险,以酸性土壤为供试土壤,通过比较国内外几种常用的土壤有效汞的浸提剂的提取效果,筛选适合于酸性土壤的有效汞浸提剂并优化相应的提取条件,从而建立酸性土壤有效汞的提取方法。结果表明,在0.1 mol·L-1HCl、1 mol·L-1NH4OAc、0.005 mol·L-1DTPA、0.03%TGA-1/15 mol·L-1Na2HPO4这4种常用浸提剂中,0.03%TGA-1/15 mol·L-1Na2HPO4是最佳的浸提剂,因为它具有最高的提取率,且其所提取的有效汞与相应稻米中Hg含量的相关性最好。0.03%TGA-1/15 mol·L-1Na2HPO4的最佳浸提条件为土液比1∶10、振荡时间120 min、振荡速度250 r.min-1,浸提出的有效汞量与油菜的相关性达到极显著相关,能较好地指示田间条件下土壤汞对作物的可给性。     

Assessing suitability of different extractants for determining available boron in soil

In the present study, the extractability of available Boron (B) by different extractants was tested in relation to soil properties. Soil samples from different parts of Indo-Gangetic flood plains of West Bengal were collected and available B extracted with various extractant viz. hot calcium chloride (CaCl₂) (HCC), Potassium di-hydrogen phosphate (PDP), tartaric acid (TA) and MCC. Plant availability of B was assessed by growing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.cv.K-1006) in such soils through pot experiments. HCC showed the highest available B content as well as highest correlation coefficient value with all plant growth parameters and soil properties. The B extracting efficiency of the tested extractants was found in the order of HCC > PDP > TA > MCC. Results showed that dry matter yield, plant B concentration and uptake was increased significantly after application of Borax. Linear Correlations, Multiple regression analysis using Mallow's Cp statistics proved HCC to be the best extractant for estimating available B in experimental soils.     

A contemporary overview of silicon availability in agricultural soils

Our current understanding of silicon (Si) availability in agricultural soils is reviewed and knowledge gaps are highlighted. Silicon is a beneficial rather than essential plant nutrient and yield responses to its application have been frequently demonstrated in Si‐accumulator crops such as rice and sugarcane. These crops are typically grown on highly weathered (desilicated) soils where soil solution Si concentrations are low. Increased yields are the result of simultaneous increases in plant tolerance to a wide range of biotic (plant pathogens, insect pests) and abiotic (water shortage, excess salts, metal toxicities) stresses. Traditionally, soil solution Si is viewed as being supplied by dissolution of primary and secondary minerals and buffered by adsorption/desorption of silicate onto Al and Fe hydrous oxide surfaces. In recent years it has become recognized that phytogenic cycling of Si [uptake of Si by plants, formation of phytogenic silica (SiO₂ · nH₂O) mainly in leaves and subsequent return of this silica to soils in plant litter] is the main determinant of soil solution Si concentrations in natural forests and grasslands. Considerable diminution of the phytogenic Si pool in agricultural soils is likely due to regular removal of Si in harvested products. A range of extractants (unbuffered salts, acetate‐based solutions, and acids) can provide valuable information on the Si status of soils and the likelihood of a yield response in rice and sugarcane. The most common Si fertilizers used are industrial byproducts (e.g., blast furnace slag, steel slag, ferromanganous slag, Ca slag). Since agriculture promotes soil desilication and Si is presently being promoted as a broad spectrum plant prophylactic, the future use of Si in agriculture is likely to increase. Aspects that require future research include the role of specific adsorption of silicate onto hydrous oxides, the significance of phytogenic Si in agricultural soils, the extent of loss of phytogenic Si due to crop harvest, the role of hydroxyaluminosilicate formation in fertilized soils, and the effect of soil pH on Si availability.     

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).     

Calibration and Categorization of Plant Available Silicon in Rice Soils of South India

ABSTRACT

Calibration of field crop responses to nutrient availability acts as a basis for making fertilizer recommendations from soil and tissue analysis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and summarize silicon (Si) fertilization of rice in different soils of south India. The experiment consists of four levels of calcium silicate as Si with three replications. Initially, soils were analyzed using eleven different extractants. The grain and straw yield were recorded and analyzed for Si content. The critical levels for plant available Si in the soil ranged from 14 mg kg^?1 (distilled water-1) to 207 mg kg^?1 [0.005 M sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄)]. There was a wide variation in low, medium, and high categories of plant available Si for different extractants calculated based on percent relative yield. The critical level of Si in straw and grain were 2.9 and 1.2%, respectively.     

Response of Sugarcane to Calcium Silicate on Yield,Gas Exchange Characteristics,Leaf Nutrient Concentrations,and Soil Properties in Two Different Soils

Silicon (Si), applied as calcium silicate (Ca-silicate), was evaluated for effects on yield; yield-contributing parameters in sugarcane, such as chlorophyll content, gas exchange characteristics, moisture content, and leaf nutrient concentrations; and soil fertility in the greenhouse in two different soil types. Seven levels of Si (0 20, 40, 60, 80, 120, and 150 g pot^–1) were tested by applying them with traditional fertilizers. Gas exchange characteristics such as photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance were significantly greater with the plants fertilized with silicate over unamended control for both soils. Silicate fertilization increased chlorophyll and moisture contents in the top visible dewlap (TVD) leaf tissues, but results were not significantly better in both soils when compared with unamended control. In our 12-month study, we found that the Si content reached up to 2.64% and 1.86% per dry mass in TVD leaf tissues when amended with Ca-silicate fertilizer in soils 1 and 2, respectively. Results showed that as compared to unamended control, Si-amended treatments significantly increased maximum dry matter and cane yield by 77% and 66% in soil 1 and 41% and 15% in soil 2, respectively. With increasing silicate application, iron, copper, zinc, and manganese contents significantly decreased in leaf tissues and soil contents in both soils. Soil pH, Si contents, available sulfur, exchangeable Ca and magnesium, and cation exchange capacity were increased significantly more or less, whereas aluminum contents of soil decreased dramatically in both soils when amended with Ca-silicate. Our results indicate that different soil fertility status and rates of Si application are important factors influencing the yield, growth parameters, chlorophyll, and nutrient contents of sugarcane leaf as well as soil properties.     

Assessing a suitable extractant and critical limits of nickel in soil and plant for predicting the response of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to nickel grown in Inceptisols

ABSTRACT

Nickel (Ni) is an essential element for plants. Abundant information exists on Ni toxicity in soil–plant system but not much is available on its critical level of deficiency (CLD) in soils and plants. Five chemical extractants were evaluated to find a suitable extractant for Ni in Inceptisol. Twenty-one soils having low to high levels of Ni were used to grow barley (Hordeum vulgare L). The amount of Ni extracted was correlated with Ni concentration and uptake by barley. The diethylene triamine penta acetic acid-calcium chloride (0.005 M DTPA-CaC1₂) was identified as the most promising soil extractant for Ni. The CLD of Ni for 0.005 M DTPA-CaC1₂ in soil was 0.22 mg kg^?1 whereas in barley plant it was 2.14 mg kg^?1. Application of 7.5 mg kg^?1 Ni in soil caused a significant increase in Ni concentration in the shoot of barley in all the soils irrespective of the initial Ni status.     

Mehlich‐1‐ and DTPA‐extractable lead in soils in relation to soil properties

Abstract

Mehlich‐1 and DTPA extractants are frequently used to predict metal availability in soils. Metal extractability by the acid or chelate extractant reflects the metal characteristics and metal‐soil interactions. In this study, samples of eight topsoils from the southeastern United States were incubated with added lead (Pb) at the rate of 40 mg#lbkg^‐1. After five months in the greenhouse, Mehlich‐1 and DTPA extractants were employed to extract Pb in both metal‐amended and natural soils. For the natural soils, Pb concentration in the DTPA extractant was always higher than that in the Mehlich‐1 extractant. This indicates that the DTPA chelate extractant is able to dissolve some Pb in soils which is not solubilized by protons. The negative correlation found between Mehlich‐1‐extractable Pb and soil clay content might result from two mechanisms: i) strong association between Pb and soil surfaces, or ii) readsorption of Pb during extraction. None of the correlations between DTPA‐extractable Pb and soil properties was significant, suggesting that the DTPA‐extractable Pb is not heavily dependent on soil properties. The DTPA extractant showed a high ability to solubilize Pb in the natural soils possibly due to a high affinity of Pb for soil organic matter.     

Optimization of DTPA and calcium chloride extractants for assessing extractable metal fraction in polluted soils

Abstract

Metal availability in soils is often assessed by means of extraction with chemical solutions, among others the chelating agent DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) and the non‐buffered salt calcium chloride (CaCl₂). The same procedures are used for polluted soils that were originally created to assess the nutrient status of arable soils. We studied the influence of various parameters (type of shaker, shaking time, soil to solution ratio, and concentration of chemical extractant) and modify the DTPA and CaCl₂ extraction procedures to make them suitable for the study of polluted soils. The chosen extraction ratio and extractant concentration were the followings: 8 g/20 mL of 0.1 MCaCl₂ and 2 g/20 mL of 0.005 M DTPA. The optimized procedures were applied to nine soil samples affected by different sources of pollution (mine works, vehicle emissions, and various industries). Cadmium (Cd) showed the highest extractability with both extractants. Depending on the soil, copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) (using DPTA) and Cu and manganese (Mn) (using CaCl₂) were the followings in the extractable amounts. Cadmium, Cu, and Zn were highly correlated in both extractions and with total contents.