Effects of different parent materials on some plant nutrients and heavy metals in the arid regions of Turkey

Abstract

In this study, seven soils which were developed on lime stone, basalt, marine and alluvium parent materials were studied to understand the effects of different parent materials on plant nutrient levels and heavy metal contents in the arid regions. Results showed that different parent materials have influenced the plant nutrients of soils. Available K2O content of soils developed on basalt rocks are higher than other soils and change between 112.5 and 133.9 kg da−1. Available K2O contents of soils developed on marine parent material is the lowest and range from 27.0 to 36.7 kg da−1. The high available K2O content of soils, developed on the basalt material, may be attributed to mica content of basalt rocks. Available K2O content of unweathered basalt rock is 127.1 kg da−1. Also, available P2O5 content of soils, developed on basalt parent material are higher than other soils and range between 2.9 and 6.1 kg da−1. The available P2O5 content of soils, developed on marine is very low and range between 0.7 and 1.0 kg da−1. The high P2O5 content of soils, developed on basalt parent material, may be related with the chemical composition of basalt rocks. Also, the P2O5 content of unweathered basalt rock is 2.9 kg da−1. Nitrogen content of all soils, depending on organic matter, are very low and range between 0.035 and 0.13 %.