A preliminary comparison of the ammonium acetate‐edta soil phosphorus extraction method to the bray‐1 and olsen soil phosphorus extraction methods

Abstract

The ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc)‐EDTA soil phosphorus (P) extraction method was compared to either the Bray‐1 soil P extraction method for non‐calcareous soils or the Olsen soil P extraction method for calcareous soils to predict com and wheat plant tissue P concentration and grain yield responses. The NH₄OAc‐EDTA method predicted yield and tissue P concentration responses to P fertilizer applications more accurately than the Olsen method at three of five sites. Both the Bray‐1 and NH₄OAc‐EDTA methods were successful in predicting corn and wheat yield responses to P fertilizer applications in non‐ calcareous soils in many locations. However, a direct comparison of extracted soil P levels showed that the NH₄OAc‐EDTA method extracted soil P at levels which were more closely related to the Bray‐1 method than the Olsen method.     

A comparison of hot water extraction to standard extraction methods for nitrate,potassium, phosphorus,and sulfate in arid‐zone soils

Abstract

Increasing demand for soil analysis prompted by environmental and economic factors has intensified the need for an inexpensive, fast, convenient and precise extraction. Current soil analysis procedures require several extractants which limit their use in many small commercial and residential applications. This paper reports the results of tests conducted with an innovative hot water extraction method to meet these needs in the soils of the arid Western United States. Hot water under pressure generated by commonly available espresso makers was used, with an appropriate proper soil/water ratio, to extract nitrate, potassium (K), sulfate, and phosphorus (P) in as many as 38 soils. The same extract was also used to measure pH. There were high and significant correlations when comparing standard soil analysis extraction methods and the hot water extraction for nitrate, sulfate, K, and P [r=0.99, 0.92, 0.85, and 0.60, respectively (p=0.001)]. The time of extraction varied with each soil, ranging from 0.3 minutes with a sandy soil to 4.5 minutes for a clay soil, and averaged 1.4 minutes. This extraction procedure coupled with available analytical equipment shows promise as an acceptable process for measuring nitrate, K, sulfate, P, and pH in soils.     

Low potassium enhances sodium uptake in red‐beet under moderate saline conditions

Abstract

Due to the discrepancy in metabolic sodium (Na) requirements between plants and animals, cycling of Na between humans and plants is limited and critical to the proper functioning of bio‐regenerative life support systems, being considered for long‐term human habitats in space (e.g., Martian bases). This study was conducted to determine the effects of limited potassium (K) on growth, Na uptake, photosynthesis, ionic partitioning, and water relations of red‐beet (Beta vulgaris L. ssp. vulgaris) under moderate Na‐saline conditions. Two cultivars, Klein Bol, and Ruby Queen were grown for 42 days in a growth chamber using a re‐circulating nutrient film technique where the supplied K levels were 5.0, 1.25, 0.25, and 0.10 mM in a modified half‐strength Hoagland solution salinized with 50 mM NaCl. Reducing K levels from 5.0 to 0.10 mM quadrupled the Na uptake, and lamina Na levels reached ‐20 g kg^?1 dwt. Lamina K levels decreased from ‐60 g kg^?1 dwt at 5.0 mM K to ‐4.0 g kg^?1 dwt at 0.10 mM K. Ruby Queen and Klein Bol responded differently to these changes in Na and K status. Klein Bol showed a linear decline in dry matter production with a decrease in available K, whereas for cv. Ruby Queen, growth was stimulated at 1.25 mM K and relatively insensitive to a further decreases of K down to 0.10 mM. Leaf glycinebetaine levels showed no significant response to the changing K treatments. Leaf relative water content and osmotic potential were significantly higher for both cultivars at low‐K treatments. Leaf chlorophyll levels were significantly decreased at low‐K treatments, but leaf photosynthetic rates showed no significant difference. No substantial changes were observed in the total cation concentration of plant tissues despite major shifts in the relative Na and K uptake at various K levels. Sodium accounted for 90% of the total cation uptake at the low K levels, and thus Na was likely replacing K in osmotic functions without negatively affecting the plant water status, or growth. Our results also suggest that cv. Ruby Queen can tolerate a much higher Na tissue concentration than cv. Klein Bol before there is any growth reduction.     

A copper‐phosphorus interaction in wheat 1

Abstract

Examination of results from two experiments designed to compare copper (Cu) carriers, rates, and application methods and an experiment designed to test the residual effects of Cu on spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) pointed to the existence of an interaction between Cu and phosphorus (P). Mineral element data for aboveground whole‐plant samples from the three experiments indicated that, with low Cu levels in the soil, when Cu was applied as CUSO₄ in an apparently unavailable position, or when the Cu had been applied to the soil as CuHEDTA, P concentrations in the plant were very high. Also, when CUSO₄ was applied to the soil and incorporated to a depth of 60 to 100 mm, concentrations of Cu increased and P decreased in the plant. In each case, if Cu concentrations in the plant were adequate, then normal plant development occurred. A Cu‐P interaction which affected P uptake or translocation was evident.     

Influence of chloride on the uptake and trans‐location of phosphorus in potato

Both chloride (Cl) and sulphate (SO₄) were found to impair the uptake of phosphorus (H2³²PO₄) through the roots of potato in a hydroponically conducted experiment. Radioactive phosphorus (³²P) was used as the marker. The presence of either Cl and SO₄ alone in the nutrient solution made no difference on the impairment. Both ions also inhibited the long‐distance transport of P from roots to shoots. The inhibition by Cl was much greater than that by SO₄, and increased with the concentration of Cl rising from 0 to 15.5 mM in solution.     

Dynamics of calcium‐sodium exchange under unsaturated plow conditions

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in soil columns of 84 cm length and 5.7 cm inner diameter to determine the effect of degree of water saturation on the extent of replacement of sodium by calcium from the exchange sites. The experiment was performed by running 0.20 N calcium chloride solution through a saline‐sodic soil into a water table at the lower end at different rates less than the infiltration rate of the soil, thus obtaining unsaturated flow conditions. The effective or the apparent calcium exchange capacity of the soil was reduced significantly and nearly proportionally with a decrease in the degree of water saturation during the flow process. It is suggested that part of exchange sites become inaccessible during the unsaturated flow and that there must be some isolated locations away from the main water stream in which mixing or molecular exchange by diffusion is negligible.     

Comparing cultivars of three cool‐season turf‐grasses for potassium uptake kinetics and potassium recovery in the field

Efficient use of potassium (K) by turf depends on the ability of roots to absorb a high proportion of the fertilizer K applied to the soil. Among turfgrass genotypes, variation in K absorption kinetics of roots and its inheritance is important in the development of genotypes that are more efficient in K absorption from the soil. Therefore, K uptake kinetics of six cultivars each of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were compared under greenhouse conditions. In 1990 and 1991, field studies of the same cultivars were conducted comparing clipping production rate, leaf blade K concentration, K recovery rate in clippings, K efficiency ratio and visual quality under a moderate K fertilization of 59 kg K/ha/year. Significant differences among species and cultivars were obtained for both absorption kinetics and field recovery of K. Significant correlations between some K uptake parameters and field performance were identified. These results show that genetic differences exist among turfgrasses for K utilization at both the interspecific and intraspecific levels and suggest that a screening program could be developed to identify turfgrass genotypes possessing superior K utilization.     

Measurement of available soil phosphorus under conventional and no‐till management

Abstract

The objective of the investigation was to compare the predominant forms of P in fields of an acid Matapeake soil under no‐till and conventional‐till management. The fields, which differed in extent of contact between soil and fertilizer P, also differ in forms of P. Fertilizer P remained in the uppermost layer of no‐till fields and was, therefore, not in as close proximity to the plant (corn) roots as P was in conventional‐till fields. Nevertheless, fertilizer P in the no‐till fields underwent only limited conversion to forms less available to plants and thus, in part, may have accounted for similar plant uptake rates of P in no‐till and conventional‐till fields.

One method used to analyze P in the Matapeake soil was the double‐acid‐extraction method. This method is used by several state soil‐testing laboratories of the eastern and southeastern United States, where acid soils like Matapeake are common. The double‐acid‐extraction method underestimated the soil P available for plant uptake.     

Insensitivity of soybean photosynthesis to ultraviolet‐b radiation under phosphorus deficiency

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv Essex] was grown in sand in a greenhouse under 2 levels of biologically effective ultraviolet‐B radiation (effective daily dose: 0 and 11.5 kJ/m² UV‐BBE and 2 levels of P (6.5 and 52 μM). Plants were grown in each treatment combination up to the fifth trifoliolate stage. UV‐B radiation had no affect on plant growth and net photosynthesis at 6.5 μM P supply but decreased both these parameters when grown in the higher P concentration. Reductions in net photosynthesis were apparently due to direct effects on the photosynthetic machinery, since chlorophyll concentration and stanatal conductance were unaffected by UV‐B radiation. Both UV‐B radiation and reduced P supply increased the level of UV‐B absorbing compounds in leaf tissues and their effects were additive. The reduced sensitivity of P deficient plants to UV‐B radiation may be the result of this increase in UV absorbing compounds and possibly uv protective mechanisms associated with growth inhibition.     

Comparison of phosphate‐phosphorus and total phosphorus in DTPA extracts for assessing plant‐available phosphorus in soilless potting media

Abstract

Hakea francisiana and H. laurina were grown in soilless media based on pine bark, to which had been added one of the following phosphorus (P) sources: crushed bone, rock phosphate, calcined rock phosphate, sewage sludge, or sludge compost. Available P was assessed through extraction with unbuffered 2 mM DTPA. Similar regression equations between shoot P content and P in 2 mM DTPA extracts of the media at potting were obtained for both total P in the extract (determined by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry) and PO₄‐P. The difference between them was small compared with the variation caused by different rates of dissolution of P the various sources during the growing period. Extractants give only an approximate guide to plant P uptake when the medium contains sources that slowly dissolve during the growing period. Nevertheless, the data indicate that, irrespective of P source, the maximum P concentration in a 2 mM DTPA extract (1:1.5 v/v) of the medium that is tolerated by P‐sensitive plants is 3–4 mg/L. This is similar to the concentration found previously for superphosphate as the source of P.     

A comparison between X‐ray fluorescence and dissolution methods employing lithium metaborate fusion for elemental analysis of soil clays

Abstract

A method employing fusion of soil clay samples with lithium metaborate (1:5 ratio) in a furnace at 1050°C for 1 hr. subsequent dissolution of the fused sample in 4% HNO₃. and elemental analysis for Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, K, and Ti by atomic absorption spectrometry was compared with the X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) fused disc technique for analysis. Duplicated analyses were performed on 15 clay samples from soils of the southern U.S and three API reference samples. The mean total percent recovery by this method was excellent (100.14 ± 2.85). Elemental oxide quantities in terms of SiO₂. Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, MgO, CaO and K₂O determined by atomic absorption/flame emission (AA/FE) spectroscopy were in good agreement with values measured by x‐ray fluorescence (XRF) on the same subsamples (r = 0.89^* to 0.98^**). but somewhat more variable on subsamples seperated from different pretreatments (r = 0.70^* to 0.97^** ). The method, which has also been tested on 36 additional clay samples from a variety of Kentucky soils with total percent recoveries ranging from 96.5 ‐ 103.5%. demonstrated no bias due to mineralogy with respect to mixed, montmorillonitic. and siliceous classes. This technique presents numerous advantages over other elemental analysis techniques utilizing fusion, dissolution, or XRF spectroscopy with respect to time, effort and cost. With the introduction of inductively‐coupled plasma (ICP) emission spectroscopy. efficiency can be additionally improved.     

The effect of subsurface aluminium on the growth and uptake of surface‐applied phosphorus by wheat seedlings 1

Seedlings of four cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) differing in tolerance to aluminium (Al) were grown for 14 to 20 days using a split‐root sand/solution culture technique. Each culture tube was divided horizontally into two compartments by a root‐permeable paraffin wax barrier, so that phosphorus (P) and aluminium (Al) supply could be varied in the upper 0–80 mm (surface) and lower 80–180 mm (subsurface) compartments, respectively.

Root growth into the subsurface zone was enhanced by increased P supply to surface roots, but only in the absence of subsurface Al. Where subsurface Al was present, increased P supply to surface roots had no effect on the penetration of roots into the subsurface zone. Tolerance to Al in the cultivars used was therefore not related to the ability to translocate P to sites of Al injury.     

A comparison of two modified Kjeldahl digestion techniques for multi‐element plant analysis with conventional wet and dry ashing methods

Abstract

The efficiency of two modified Kjeldahl procedures (H₂SO₄‐H₂‐O₂‐Li₂SO₄‐Se and H₂SO₄‐Na₂SO₄) for digestion of plant tissue for analysis of P, K, Ca and Mg contents was compared with a conventional wet (HNO₃‐HClO₄) and a dry ashing procedure. Six plant tissues were chosen as test material: leaves of Malus pumila Mill., Medicago sativa L., Dactylis glomerata L., fruit and wood tissue of M. pumila and Nothofagus mensiesii Oerst. leaf litter. Apart from low P contents of M. pumila wood tissue by dry ashing, the mean P, K, Ca and Mg contents as determined after the four digestion procedures were in good agreement. Furthermore, the precision of the data for each element was generally quite similar for each of the digestion methods. The N contents determined by the two modified and a conventional Kjeldahl procedure (H₂SO₄‐K₂SO₄‐CuSO₄‐Se) also agreed closely.     

Distribution of cations in leaves of salt‐tolerant and salt‐sensitive lines of sunflower under saline conditions

Two lines of sunflower (Helianthrus annuus L.), a salt‐tolerant Euroflor and a salt‐sensitive SMH‐24, were grown for three weeks in sand culture containing 0 or 150 mol/m³ NaCl in full strength Hoagland nutrient solution. Distribution of cations in the leaves of varying ages was determined. The older leaves of SMH‐24 contained more sodium (Na) in the laminae than the younger leaves at the salt treatment, whereas laminae of leaves of varying ages of Euroflor maintained Na concentration almost uniform. Distribution of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in the laminae was strongly age‐dependent in both lines, i.e., the older leaves contained greater concentrations of these cations than did the younger leaves. The lines did not differ in concentrations of the three cations. The older leaves of SMH‐24 had significantly lower K/Na ratios than those of Euroflor, but the lines did not differ in lamina Ca/Na ratios. It is concluded that distribution of K, Ca, and Mg in the leaf laminae is age‐dependent. Salt‐tolerance in sunflower is related to exclusion of Na in the leaf laminae and to maintenance of almost uniform concentrations of this ion in leaves of all ages.     

A method for total phosphorus determinations in nitric‐perchloric digests of pine needles and roots

Abstract

A 2:1 nitric/perchloric acid plant digest was developed and tested as a replacement of the standard Kjeldahl digest for determining phosphorus concentrations in Pinus ponderosa Laws. needles and roots. Time sequence studies using the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) pine standard reference material (SRM #1575) showed increased recovery of phosphorus as digest time increased from 1.5 to 16 hours. Digest intervals greater than 16 hours did not increase phosphorus recovery; the phosphorus concentration leveled off within the NIST reference material certified range. Using P ponderosa needle and root samples, a linear regression comparison determined that two sets of nitric/perchloric digests yielded 3.4% higher phosphorus concentrations than the Kjeldahl digest. However, 99 sets of nitric/perchloric digests, each containing two NIST standard reference materials (SRM), yielded an approximately normal distribution of phosphorus concentrations, all agreeing with the Kjeldahl established concentration and within the NIST SRM certified range. The 3.4% difference in phosphorus concentrations was consistant with the observed variability among sets. In conjunction with new elemental combustion methods for determining plant nitrogen, the nitric/perchloric digest can replace a Kjeldahl digest for determining plant phosphorus while determining additional plant cations not available using a Kjeldahl digest method.     

A method for estimating organic‐bound iron and aluminum contents in soils

Abstract

Estimation of organic‐bound iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) is an important diagnostic technique in pedology. The commonly used sodium pyro‐phosphate method yields somewhat ambiguous results and is inconvenient if an ultracentrifuge is not available in the laboratory. This study showed that 0.1M sodium nitrilotriacetate (NTA) could be used instead of pyrophosphate. The Fe and Al extracted by 0.1 M NTA were highly correlated to that by sodium pyrophosphate with R² = 0.993 for Fe and R² = 0.992 for Al, while the dissolution effects on standard mineral samples in NTA was kept at a minimum. NTA has the advantage of not requiring ultrafiltration, ultracentrifugation, or the addition of a flocculating agent as is the case for the pyrophosphate method.     

Variation of plant‐test phosphorus for individual lupin and wheat tops

Abstract

Two field experiments measured variation of phosphorus (P) concentration in dried tops (plant‐test P) of individual lupin (Lupinus angustifolius cv. Merrit) and wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Cadoux) plants collected from random locations in experimental plots treated with different levels of superphosphate. Plant‐test P for the individual tops varied by between 4 to 65% of mean values. Coefficient of variation for the 10 individual plants per plot varied from 10 to 24%. For each plot, mean plant‐test P for the 10 individual tops were similar to values for bulk samples of 30 plants collected at random within the plot. It is concluded that a bulk sample of 30 lupin or wheat plant tops need to be collected from uniform areas in farmer paddocks to provide a representative estimated of the current P status of the crop.     

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.     

Evaluation of methods for nitrogen‐15 analysis of inorganic nitrogen in soil extracts: I. Steam‐distillation methods

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate conventional steam‐distillation techniques for N‐isotope analysis of inorganic forms of N in soil extracts. Extracts obtained with 2 M KCl from 10 diverse soils were treated with: (i) (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ and KNO₃, (ii) (NH₄)₂SO₄ and K¹⁵NO₃, or (iii) KNO₃and Na¹⁵NO₂. Steam distillations were performed sequentially to determine NH₄ ⁺‐N and NO₃ ^‐‐N, and were also carried out to determine (NO₃ ^‐ + NO₂ ^‐)‐N or (NH₄ ⁺ + NO₃ ^‐ + NO₂ ^‐)‐N; a pretreatment with sulfamic acid was used to determine NO₃ ^‐‐N in the presence of NO₂ ^‐‐N. Recovery of added N ranged from 95 to 102%. Significant isotopic contamination was observed in sequential distillation of unlabeled NO₃ ^‐‐N following labeled NH₄ ⁺‐N; otherwise, analyses for ¹⁵N were usually within 1% of the values calculated by isotope‐dilution equations.     

Effect of zinc application methods on apparent utilization efficiency of zinc and phosphorus fertilizers under basmati rice–wheat rotation

To examine the effect of zinc (Zn) application method on the utilization of phosphorus (P) from applied P fertilizer, a field experiment was conducted on basmati rice–wheat rotation with combinations of Zn levels (0, soil application of 2.5 kg Zn ha ^{– 1} and two foliar applications of 2.0 kg Zn ha ^–1) and P levels (0, soil application of 8.7, 17.5 and 26.2 kg P ha ^–1). The highest pooled grain yields of basmati rice and wheat were obtained with soil application of 17.5 kg P ha ^–1 and foliar applications of 2 kg Zn ha ^–1. Foliar applications of Zn increased the P concentration in grain and straw and the total P uptake by basmati rice and the P concentration in flag leaves of wheat significantly, while soil or foliar application of Zn increased the total P uptake of wheat. Phosphorus application increased the Zn concentration in flag leaves, grain and straw of basmati rice and in grain and straw of wheat and the total Zn uptake of both crops. Phosphorus levels up to 17.5 kg P ha ^–1 increased utilization efficiency of soil or foliar application of Zn. Zinc application increased the P utilization efficiency of basmati rice and wheat up to 17.5 kg P ha ^–1 level; foliar Zn application was more effective in a wheat crop than a rice crop.