Soil zinc and pH effects on leaf zinc and the interaction of leaf calcium and zinc on zinc toxicity of peanuts

Abstract

Zinc toxicity of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), resulting from excessive amounts of Zn applied to previous crops, has been observed for many years in a limited number of peanut fields in Georgia. A tentative critical value of 12 mg/kg of Mehlich No.1 extractable soil Zn has been reported, but soil pH should be considered in establishing a more precise critical value since availability of soil Zn is affected greatly by soil acidity. A 3‐year study was conducted on a Tifton loamy sand (thermic, Plinthic Paleudults) to evaluate the relationship between soil pH and soil Zn on concentration of Zn in peanut leaves. Factorial treatments were 0, residual, medium, and high rates of Zn and soil pH levels near 5.5, 5.9, 6.2, and 6.8. Pod yields were not affected by treatments and Zn toxicity was not observed. Leaf Zn was affected more by soil pH than by soil Zn, but correlation coefficients were highest where both soil pH and soil Zn were included in the determination. A regression equation, based on soil pH and soil Zn, showed that an increase in soil Zn from 1.0 to 10.0 mg/kg increased leaf Zn 202 mg/kg at soil pH 4.6 and only 9 mg/kg at pH 6.6. Data from growers’ fields, in which samples were collected from eight healthy and toxic areas, indicated that a leaf Ca:Zn ratio of 50 or less was required for Zn toxicity of peanuts rather than high concentrations of leaf Zn per se.