UPTAKE OF NITROGEN BY WHEAT, AND PHOSPHORUS BY ALFALFA, FROM SOME GRASSLAND SOILS OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA

Abstract

The uptake of nitrogen by wheat and of phosphorus by alfalfa grown in the greenhouse on 16 A-horizon soils was correlated with the soils separated according to the Canadian soil classification system. Uptakes of both elements were greater from the Chernozemic than from the Solonetzic soils. Within the Solonetzic Order, uptakes were greater from the Solodized-Solonetz than from the Solod soils. Within the Chernozemic Order, nitrogen uptake was greater from the Black soils than from the Brown or Dark Brown soils, whereas phosphorus uptake was greater from the Dark Brown soils than from the Black or Brown soils. Phosphorus uptake and response to phosphorus fertilizer were closely correlated with NaHCO3-extractable soil phosphorus.