Zinc diffusion and extractability as affected by zinc carrier and soil chemical properties

Abstract

This work was carried out to evaluate the effect of soil chemical properties, Zn carrier and time elapsed after fertilizer application on the diffusion and extractability of Zn. A soil block technique was used to study zinc diffusion and DTPA extractability from ZnEDTA and ZnSO4 fertilizers in three soils that varied in texture, CaCO3 content, organic matter content, and pH using Zn65 tracer. ZnEDTA diffused readily in all soils, moving 20–25 mm from the fertilizer layer after three days. The rate of Zn diffusion and the extractability of Zn, however, varied among the soils and were lowest in Baha soil with the highest clay content, organic matter, and CEC despite its lower pH. The high pH and CaCO3 content in Dirab soil did not restrict the diffusion or reduce the extractability of ZnEDTA in this soil. On the other hand, the diffusion of Zn from ZnSO4 fertilizer was largely restricted in all soils and was confined to 5 mm from the fertilizer layer after 13 d. The extractability of ZnSO4 fertilizer was largely affected by soil pH and CaCO3 content and was lowest in Dirab calcareous soil. Organic matter amendment at 5% (as alfalfa) considerably reduced the diffusion and the extractability of ZnSO4 in both Dirab calcareous and Bakyria noncalcareous soils. The application of 1% (w/w) elemental S reduced soil pH and increased Zn diffusion from ZnSO4 fertilizer in Bakyria soil but had slight effect on Dirab calcareous soil.