Assessing the Effects of Soil Humic and Fulvic Acids on Germination and Early Growth of Native and Introduced Grass Varieties

Abstract

Abstract : Experimental Five humic acid (HA) samples isolated from the two original (collected in the field) Wyoming soils in duplicate, Guernsey North (GN4+5 and GN6) and Guernsey South (GS4+5 and GS6), and one Utah soil, Dugway (D11+12+13+14), and seven HA samples isolated from the same soils but collected in duplicate or triplicate from control (no plants grown) greenhouse pots (GN-A and GN-B, GSA and GS-B, D-A, D-B and D-C), object of this research, were obtained from the USDA-St.Paul group. A solution 0.5 M NaOH was used to extract these HAs from soils. All HA samples were characterized for moisture and ash contents, elemental (C, H, N, S, O) and acidic functional group (total acidity, COOH, phenolic OH) composition, and by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy in the emission, excitation and synchronous scan modes. RESEARCH PLANS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE CONTRACT PERIOD For the remainder of the contract period (14 months) research plans are the following: (a) Chemical and spectroscopic characterization of the HAs isolated in replicates from greenhouse pot soils where the two grass/four varieties were grown. (b) Germination and early growth experiments of the four grass varieties in combinations by two in the presence of the three soil HAs at two concentrations. (c) Possible follow-up experiments with HA concentrations optimal to promote the growth of the grass varieties of interest. (d) Correlation of the germination and seedling growth data with the chemical and spectroscopic parameters of the HAs examined, in order to possibly find out which HA parameters may influence germination and growth of the four grass varieties examined.