Plant availability of Zn fractions in Saskatchewan soils

Abstract

Two growth chamber experiments were conducted to assess the plant availability of Zn fractions in nine Saskatchewan soils. In one experiment, two rates of Zn (0, and 5 mg kg−1) were applied to navy beans grown on seven soils ranging in pH from 6.2 to 7.8. Most of the applied Zn was recovered in Pb-displaceable and Mn oxide associated fractions after a 7-d incubation. Growth of navy bean plants was normal in all soils and treatments. Dry matter yield did not respond to Zn application. The positive correlations between amounts of Zn in exchangeable, Pb-displaceable and acetic acid soluble fractions and plant uptake indicated the importance of these Zn fractions in influencing availability of Zn. The DTPA soil test was not a successful method for prairie soils with diverse soil properties on the basis of correlations. In the second experiment, three rates of Zn (0, 5 and 10 mg kg−1) were applied to alfalfa grown on two soils with pH of 5.5 and 7.9. The total dry matter yield of alfalfa grown on the calcareous soil was increased significantly by Zn application. No yield response to added Zn was observed in the acidic soil. In both soils, applied Zn increased the Zn concentration and total Zn uptake of alfalfa significantly over the control treatment. Changes in the distribution of applied and native Zn in different fractions before seeding and at second harvest suggest that Zn taken up by plants in the calcareous soil was from exchangeable, acid soluble and possibly residual Zn. Zinc uptake by plants grown on the acid soil was from exchangeable, Pb-displaceable, acid soluble and possibly from Mn oxide associated fractions. Key words: Zn fractions, plant availability, navy beans, alfalfa, pH