CALCIUM DEFICIENCY IN SOME solONETZIC SOILS OF ALBERTA |
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| Authors: | M R CARTER G R WEBSTER R R CAIRNS |
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| Institution: | (Department of Soil Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. T6G 2E3);(solonetzic Soil Substation, Agriculture Canada, Vegrevitle, Alberta. TOB 4L0) |
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| Abstract: | Analysis of displaced soil solutions, at half available moisture percentage, indicated that Mg to Ca (Mg/Ca) ratios and Ca to total cation (Ca/TC) ratios ranged from 0.35 to 3.64 and 0.74 to 0.04, respectively, in the A and B horizons of the solonetzic soils under study. The growth of barley in simulated solution cultures commenced to decline when the Mg/Ca ratio in solution exceeded 1.0, or when the Ca/TC ratio was lower than 0.15, regardless of levels of salinity, concentrations of Ca or Mg, or differences in ionic strength. Reduced growth was followed by symptoms of Ca deficiency. Growth of barley in soil from various horizons of solonetzic soils supported the results found in solution culture. Calcium amendments to soils with low Ca/TC ratios or high Mg/Ca ratios in the soil solution, gave increases in growth and prevented Ca deficiency. |
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