Properties Of Calcareous Soil Research Articles

Using soil amendments and mycorrhiza to improve chemical properties of degraded calcareous soil and yield of sorghum in dryland

Optimized use of calcareous soil in dryland areas needs to begin with rehabilitation efforts using soil amendments, including organic fertilizer and biochar. This study sought to determine whether kinds of soil amendments and mycorrhizal biofertilizers may enhance the chemical quality of calcareous soils and increase the yield of sorghum on dry land. The study was conducted at the experimental garden of the Agricultural Extension Center located in Oelnasi Village from April to August of 2023. Two criteria included in the study were the kind of soil amendment and mycorrhizal biological fertilizer, both of which were arranged in a randomized block design. The parameters observed were soil chemical properties, plant N and P nutrient uptake, and sorghum yield. The research results showed that the application of three types of soil amendments (P1 = cow dung, P2 = rice straw compost, and P3 = corncob biochar) improved the chemical quality of calcareous soil. This application of corncob biochar could significantly reduce soil pH from 7.85 (slightly alkaline) to 7.19 (neutral) and increase soil organic C to 2.55% C, followed by treatment with cow dung and rice straw compost. Other soil chemical properties, i.e., N, P, K, and soil CEC, also improved, which differed from the control treatment. The mycorrhizal biofertilizer provided could also improve the chemical properties of calcareous soil. Providing mycorrhizal biofertilizer could increase the N and P nutrient uptake of sorghum plants by 3.79% dry weight-1 and 2.18% dry weight-1, respectively, as well as increased sorghum yields, respectively by 4.04 t ha-1, 3.97 t ha-1 and 3.87 t ha-1 dry beans, higher than the control which only achieved 2.32 t ha-1 dry beans.

Sustainability Assessment after Twenty Years of Sewage Sludge Application on Calcareous Soil Following N or P Criterion

Sewage sludge is a valuable source of nutrients when applied to the soil. Research on its agricultural use has been focused on chemical parameters to prevent heavy metal buildup. However, soil quality includes a wider spectrum of indicators. Our aim was to evaluate the impacts of sludge application on the biological and physical soil properties of calcareous soil when sludge is applied in maize monoculture using fertilization dosage criteria determined by N input or soil P thresholds. A control based on mineral fertilization was also included. After 20 years, no differences were found in the biological indicators: earthworm and soil oribatid mite abundances. Five oribatid species were identified, but three predominated: Acrotritia ardua americana, Oribatula (Zygoribatula) excavata and Tectocepheus sarekensis. The latter two showed a maximum number of individuals five months after maize stalks were buried in soil, independent of fertilization treatment. Sludge significantly increased water-stable aggregates (up to 30%), but there was no difference in macroporosity (apparent pore diameter > 30 μm). Under irrigated calcareous soil, sewage sludge applied as fertilizer is a sustainable option, independent of the threshold criterion (N or P) used. Nevertheless, as the P threshold criterion allows for reduced P inputs, it is more sustainable over the long term.

The Effect of Sodic Water Type on the Chemical Properties of Calcareous Soil in Semi-Arid Irrigated Land

Irrigation of calcareous soil with saline–sodic water can modify the composition of the soil solution and exchange complexes in agricultural land of arid and semi-arid regions with low water resources. The objective of this study was to monitor (medium-term) potential changes in a calcareous clay soil irrigated with two types of sodic waters without cropping. Irrigation water with two high sodium adsorption ratios (SAR = 20 and 40) and electrical conductivity (EC < 3 dS m−1) was prepared using NaCl and NaHCO3 salts. The sodic irrigation waters were applied (June–October) in three periods (1, 2, and 4; one period = five irrigations) to bare non-saline soil with drip irrigation during two growing seasons; no irrigation action was taken in the winter–spring rainy season (period 3). Sampling (0–30 cm) was made after each period to determine the changes in soil pH, EC, water-soluble Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Cl−, and HCO3−. Relative to the control, irrigation with both sodic waters increased soil pH, EC, and water-soluble Na+ and decreased or did not change water-soluble cations (Ca2+, Mg2+). The Cl− concentration increased rapidly with NaCl-type water application, but it was leached away quickly by winter–spring rains. The HCO3− concentration increased with NaHCO3-type water application, yet it leached out slowly in the rainy period. The movement of HCO3− ions in the upper soil profile (0–30 cm) was significantly slower compared to Cl− ions. Dissolution of slightly soluble soil CaCO3 by irrigation increased the solution concentration of Ca2+ and its mobility, yet the kinetics of processes depended on water type and irrigation period. The released Ca2+ interacted with other cations in the soil, causing further significant positive physicochemical changes in the soil solution and exchange capacity (comparable with control soil) at the end of the irrigation period. The CaCO3 content in the soil would be a long-term guarantee of the Ca2+ resource in soils, even if the amount of water-soluble Ca2+ may decrease for the short-term period during irrigation. The results should be considered for rational irrigation management (with various water qualities) in semi-arid and arid regions.

Biochemical Properties of Calcareous Soil Affected by the Source of Sulphur-Organo Fertilizers

Biochemical Properties of Calcareous Soil Affected by the Source of Sulphur-Organo Fertilizers

Hydro-physical deterioration of a calcareous clay-rich soil by sodic water in Central Anatolia, Türkiye

The deleterious effects of sodium-induced secondary alkalinization on soil structure and hydraulic properties of calcareous soils can vary widely. This study aims to evaluate the impact of sodicity and leaching velocity on the physical and hydraulic properties of a calcareous clay-rich soil. Two application rates of tap water (TW) and sodic water (SW) are considered: fast leaching, equal to the saturated hydraulic conductivity, Ks, and slow leaching conditions, equal to have 1/2 Ks. For the TW and SW experiments, up to 14 and 26 leaching cycles were performed in duplicates, respectively. After the leaching applications, the PVC columns were cut horizontally, and undisturbed samples were removed from the different depths. It was observed that neither water quality nor water flow rate significantly affected water stable aggregate percentages. TW did not affect soil total porosity and bulk density except at the bottom of the column. On the other hand, there were remarkable reductions in soil porosity and bulk density in the SW leaching experiments ranging from 8.8 to 12.5% and 7.4–13.8%, respectively. High Na concentrations in leaching water caused aggregate swelling and dispersion, leading to reduced Na+ and enhanced Ca2+ transport to the lower portions of the soil column. In the lower layers, the severity of sodium-induced dispersion was restricted by calcium, which was exchanged by the excess amount of Na from the upper layers, maintaining soil particles flocculated. Ca2+, which tightens the soil particles and aggregates together, limited Na-induced disruption of the soil aggregation. Nonetheless, particles that broke away from aggregate did influence the hydraulic properties of the soils. Overall, the experiments revealed that although the physical and hydraulic properties of the soil are affected by the sodic waters and the flow rates, this effect is reduced in calcareous soils due to their strong bonding feature.

THE COMBINED EFFECT OF THE TILLAGE DEPTH AND COMPOST APPLICATION ON CALCAREOUS SOIL AGGREGATES AND THE YIELD OF INTERCROPPED FABA BEAN WITH WHEAT

Calcareous soils crusting and low organic matter (OM) content are key problems restrict their management and productivity. The aim of this study is to assess the role of tillage at different depths along with the compost application for improving some characteristics of the calcareous soil as well as the yield, and its components of the intercropped faba bean with wheat (1:1 ratio). A field experiment was carried out at the Nubaryia Agricultural Experimental Station through the two successive winter seasons (2019/2020) and (2020/2021) in a split-plot design with three replicates. The main factor (F1) was the plough depth treatments: Chisel plough (20 cm depth) and subsoiler (40 cm depth) one time and twice. The sub-factor (F2) was the applied compost (C1= 5.95 and C2= 11.9 tons ha-1). A control without additions was involved. The wheat and fababean were sown in a 1:1 intercropping ratio mixed with the surface layers by hatchat under a surface irrigation system and the recommended agronomic practices were followed. The tillage treatments combined with increasing the rate of the applied compost have increased the total stable aggregates (TSA), the aggregation index and aggregation degree in the surface and subsurface soil layers (0 – 20 cm, 20 – 40 cm) as well as the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) for both seasons. The water stable aggregates (WSA) distribution revealed that the 8-2 cm aggregates are the abundant size especially in the surface soil layers. The 40 cm depth subsoiler twice treatment combined with the compost rate C2 resulted in the maximum OM for both seasons. The relative maximum OM increase (%) compared to the corresponding control was by 32.3 and 26.7% in the 0 – 20 cm soil layer and by 64.9 snd 60.0% in the 20 – 40 cm soil layer. For the compost rate C2, the most significant relative increase in the wheat grains yield (kg ha-1) was by 74.8% with the plowing two times at 40 cm depth, while for the faba bean seeds yield (kg ha-1) it increased by 145.5% with the 20 cm depth plowing. The studied treatments were effective for improving the calcareous soil properties and productivity.

Integration between some soil improvers and salt-resistant microbes to improve some soil properties and their productivity in Ras Suder, South Sinai Egypt.

A Field experiment was conducted on a sandy loam soil in Wadi Sudr South Sinai, Egypt to study the effect of a mixture of PW and FYM, using a combination (0 +0, 50 +0, 37.5 +12.5, 25 +25, 12.5 +37.5 and 0 +50 Mg ha-1) for mixture FYM and PW, respectively, with two levels of SRM (0 and 7 L ha-1) to reflect some of the calcareous soil properties below saline irrigation and to improve the yield of sunflower. The data obtained showed that soil BD, PR, HC, pH and EC decreased with increasing application rates of PW using two rates of SRM, while the MWHC and OC were increased. The data obtained showed that sunflower seeds yield increased with increasing application rates of PW using two rates of SRM. The average increases of sunflower seeds yield were 23.21, 27.68, 44.64, 59.82 and 75.00 % relative to the control, (0 FYM + 0 PW) Mg ha-1 with the application mix of FYM and PW without SRM on the same mixes, respectively. While they achieved 29.82, 39.47, 55.26, 73.68 and 90.35% respectively for blends of FYM and PW with SRM additions on the same blend. High significance was found between sunflower seed yield altered by FYM and PW mixing and either pH, EC, OC, BD, PR, HC or MWHC, respectively. So, we can say that the application mix of FYM+PW is considered effective in improving calcareous soil properties and productivity, which reduces environmental pollution from these wastes.

Salinity Effects of Irrigation Water and Cultivation of Egyptian Clover (Trifolium alexandrinum, L.) on Physicochemical Properties of Calcareous Soil

Salinity Effects of Irrigation Water and Cultivation of Egyptian Clover (Trifolium alexandrinum, L.) on Physicochemical Properties of Calcareous Soil

Characterisation of Calcareous Soils in Mahboobnagar and Nalgonda District of Telangana State

A survey was conducted in the year 2019-20 in old Mahboobnagar and Nalgonda district of Telangana state to study the characters of calcareous soils, based on effervescence with dilute.HCL the samples were collected and were analysed for its characters. Majority of soils collected were medium to high in CaCO3 status. All the soils collected were alkaline to highly alkaline in reaction. Soils were low to medium in available nitrogen and phosphorus content. The average pH, N, P2O5, K2O value recorded in these soils were 8.49, 77.19 kg ha-1, 6.215 kg ha-1, 72.88 kg ha-1 respectively. The main objective of the study is to know the properties of Calcareous soil and also to study the effect of calcium carbonate on the different properties of soil and therefore acorrelation study was conducted which reported that there is significant positive relationship is seen between CaCO3 content and pH and significant negative relationship is seen between CaCO3 content and available N and P2O5 in soil. No significant relationship is seen between CaCO3 content and EC and OC values.

The influence of micronized sulfur amendments on the chemical properties of the calcareous soil and wheat growth

High soil pH constrains the availability of many plant nutrients including phosphorus (P). Sulfur (S) application to soil is a commonly used method to reduce the soil pH in the plant root zone, increase the availability of nutrients and thus obtain a higher yield. However, the particle size of the S is the most important factor in decreasing the soil pH. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different doses of micronized S application (0, 125, 250, and 375 kg ha−1) on the chemical properties of calcareous soil and the yield and nutrient contents of two wheat cultivars (Burgos and Zhivago). The results indicated that soil pH and CaCO3 content of soil decreased with increasing doses of S application. Soil organic carbon content slightly increased with all S applications in Burgos wheat variety. The highest increase was recorded in the 375 kg ha−1 S application, but no significant difference was determined in the Zhivago variety. The available Cu content in soil varied between 3.43 and 3.55 mg kg−1, Fe content was between 13.86 and 14.93 mg kg−1, Mn content was between 22.73 and 25.65 mg kg−1, and Zn content was between 0.53 and 0.62 mg kg−1. The results revealed that soil pH and CaCO3 content decreased with liquid micronized S applications, however, the effect of S applications on exchangeable cations and heavy metal content was not significant.

The changes in the physicochemical properties of calcareous soils and the factors of arsenic (As) uptake by wheat were investigated after the cessation of effluent irrigation for nearly 20 years

It is not known what the buffering capacity of soils and arsenic (As) enrichment by crops is for calcareous agricultural soils after the end of long-term effluent irrigation. In this study, changes in soil physicochemical properties and factors of influencing As uptake by wheat were investigated in agricultural soils where sewage irrigation had been ceased for nearly 20 years. The results showed that the content of CaCO3 and pH in soil increased compared to the period before the cessation of sewage irrigation, but remained below the soil background value. Furthermore, CaCO3 is by far the main buffering substance in agricultural soils and indirectly contributes to the increase in pH. The As concentration in the soil was 36.4 ± 34.8 mg/kg, which was 0.56–10.28 times and 0.28–5.18 times higher than the soil background and risk screening values, respectively, but showed a decreasing trend. pH and Fe dissolution were the main reasons for the lower As concentration in the soil. Total As in soil was a better predictor of As in wheat, and soil electrical conductivity (EC) and soil organic matter (SOM) promoted As uptake by wheat. The competitive uptake of As by dissolved Si was an important reason for the mismatch between As concentrations in soil and wheat. This study highlighted the key issues of As transport transformation in soil-wheat systems after cessation of effluent irrigation, using agricultural soils, and provided a reference for soil risk management in agricultural soils in mining areas.

Comparison of Heat-Treated and Unheated Vermicompost on Biological Properties of Calcareous Soil and Aloe Vera Growth under Greenhouse Conditions in a Mediterranean Climate

Determining how intermittently applied heat treatment during the preparation of vermicompost changes the effectiveness of the fertilizer is a challenge. In this study, organic Aloe vera was grown using heat-treated cattle manure vermicompost (IVC) and unheated cattle manure vermicompost (VC). Additionally, these two vermicomposts were combined with vermiwash (LV) and applied to the soil. Thus, the cumulative effect of vermicompost on soil biological properties (number of bacteria, dehydrogenase, urease, alkaline phosphatase, β-glycosidase) and plant growth (plant height, number of leaves, leaf biomass yield, number of suckers, fresh gel weight) was investigated. According to the results obtained, it was understood that HVC-30+LV, HVC-60+LV, and VC-60+LV applications were more effective on soil biological properties. On the other hand, HVC-30+LV and HVC-60+LV applications were found to be effective on plant growth. In addition, increases of 140% in soil bacterial number, 170% in dehydrogenase activity, 125% in urease activity, 122% in alkaline phosphatase activity, 123% in β-glycosidase activity, 65% in plant height, and 45% in leaf biomass yield and wet gel weight were observed. Accordingly, it can be stated that heat-treated cattle manure vermicompost applied to the soil at a rate of 30 t ha−1 together with vermiwash is beneficial for improving the biological properties of calcareous soil and for organic Aloe vera cultivation.

Developing spectrotransfer functions (STFs) to predict basic physical and chemical properties of calcareous soils

Spectroscopy in visible (Vis) and near-infrared (NIR) provides a rapid, timely, non-destructive, low-preparation, and less expensive analysis of soil samples in comparison with traditional laboratory analysis. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to predict basic physical and chemical properties of calcareous soils using Vis-NIR spectral reflectance data by applying partial least square regression (PLSR) and stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR) approaches and finally to develop spectrotransfer functions (STFs). The target soil properties including sand, silt, clay, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE), and water-soluble sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg), in 234 soil samples, and DTPA-extractable iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn), in 161 soil samples, were measured using standard laboratory procedures in calcareous soils of Fars province, Iran. The spectra of soil samples in Vis-NIR region (400–2500 nm) were collected using Rapid Content Analyzer spectrophotometer (NIRS XDS model) apparatus. Results revealed the better performance of developed PLSR models compared to STFs to predict most of the target soil properties; however, their capability differences were not significant. The STFs predicted sand, clay, and CCE with very good accuracy (0.78 ≤ determination coefficient of validation dataset, R2val ≤ 0.83); pH, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn with good accuracy (0.65 ≤ R2val ≤ 0.71); and silt, EC, Na, and Ca with acceptable accuracy (0.55 ≤ R2val ≤ 0.63). It is strongly recommended to use the related STFs for predicting sand, clay, CCE, pH, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn of calcareous soils in order to save time and costs, less use of chemicals, and mapping large areas.

Spatial distribution and mapping of some calcareous soil properties affected by salts in West Nubaria area, Egypt

Spatial distribution and mapping of some calcareous soil properties affected by salts in West Nubaria area, Egypt

Effect of Phosphorous Application on Chickpea Nodules Production And Some Fertility Properties of Calcareous Soil of Duhok-krg- Iraq

Effect of Phosphorous Application on Chickpea Nodules Production And Some Fertility Properties of Calcareous Soil of Duhok-krg- Iraq

Soil mulching and deficit irrigation effect on sustainability of nutrients availability and uptake, and productivity of maize grown in calcareous soils

ABSTRACT Plants are subjected to low use efficiency of water and nutrients in marginal lands such as calcareous soils. Moreover, plant wastes are not utilized optimally by the farmers. Hence, field trials were carried out in 2018 and 2019 summer seasons to find the practicable model which can be emerged through addition of sugar beet residues as mulching material and irrigation treatments in maize field. The amount of these residues were 0, 2.4, 7.2 and 12.0 ton ha−1 (denoted ‎ M0 M1 M2 and M3, respectively). Irrigation treatments were 60%, 80% and 100% of crop evapotranspiration (signed as W60, W80 and W100, respectively). The study was established in a strip plots design with three replications. Findings exhibited that W80 x M3 or M2 were as similar as W100 x M2 in improving biological, straw and grain yields ha−1. Similar beneficial effect of W100 or W80 on nutrient uptake was obtained under mulching soil with M3 or M2. Moreover, M1 x W80 or W100 achieved the maximally available phosphorus (P) in soil. As well, M3 x W80 showed stable improvement in water use efficiency during the two studied seasons. Due to irrigation and soil mulching combinations, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) was reduced by 5.6.1–32.6% compared to the initial CaCO3 in soil (25.42%). Generally, application of sugar beet residues at a rate of 7.2 ton ha−1 and moderate irrigation water supply, that is 80% of crop evapotranspiration may be considered a promising quixotic practice for regulating deficit irrigation in maize grown in calcareous soils. Continuous application of compatible irrigation regime and soil mulching, for example, 80% of crop evapotranspiration plus soil mulching could have the potentiality to improve calcareous soil properties year after year.

Short-Term Soil Flushing with Tannic Acid and Its Effect on Metal Mobilization and Selected Properties of Calcareous Soil.

Cadmium, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn removal via soil flushing with tannic acid (TA) as a plant biosurfactant was studied. The soil was treated for 30 h in a column reactor at a constant TA concentration and pH (3%, pH 4) and at variable TA flow rates (0.5 mL/min or 1 mL/min). In the soil leachates, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved organic carbon, and metal concentrations were monitored. Before and after flushing, soil pH, EC, organic matter content, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were determined. To analyze the organic matter composition, pyrolysis as well as thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used. Metal fractionation in unflushed and flushed soil was analyzed using a modified sequential extraction method. The data on cumulative metal removal were analyzed using OriginPro 8.0 software (OriginLab Corporation, Northampton, MA, USA) and were fitted to 4-parameter logistic sigmoidal model. It was found that flushing time had a stronger influence on metal removal than flow rate. The overall efficiency of metal removal (expressed as the ratio between flushed metal concentration and total metal concentration in soil) at the higher flow rate decreased in this order: Cd (86%) > Ni (44%) > Cu (29%) ≈ Zn (26%) > Pb (15%). Metals were removed from the exchangeable fraction and redistributed into the reducible fraction. After flushing, the soil had a lower pH, EC, and CEC; a higher organic matter content; the composition of the organic matter had changed (incorporation of TA structures). Our results prove that soil flushing with TA is a promising approach to decrease metal concentration in soil and to facilitate carbon sequestration in soil.

Soil Physico-chemical Properties as affected by Long-term Application of Organics and Inorganic NPK Fertilisers under Rice-wheat Cropping System in Calcareous Soil of Bihar

A balanced application of organics and inorganic fertilisers could be beneficial to both soil nutrient availability, soil health and crop growth. The experiment was conducted on light textured highly calcareous soil at Research Farm of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa. Four levels of inorganic fertiliser treatments were applied i.e. 50, 100 and 150% of NPK along with no NPK as control as main plot treatments while four levels of organic treatment (i.e. no organics, compost, crop residue and compost+ crop residue) were applied as sub plot treatments in a split plot design with a total sixteen (16) treatments with three replications to investigate the long term effect of application of various doses of recommended fertiliser along with organic amendments on various physico-chemical properties of calcareous soils after 32nd crop cycle . Data was collected on various physico-chemical properties i.e. Soil pH, electrical conductivity (dSm-1), soil organic carbon (g kg-1), free CaCO3 (%), cation exchange capacity [cmol (p+) kg -1], bulk Density (Mg m-3) and water holding capacity (w/w %). The result revealed that soil pH was reduced by 3.9% while electrical conductivity (EC) was reduced by 45% over initial (1988). Both soil pH and EC were reduced by 1.7% and 15.4% respectively in plots receiving combined application of compost and crop residue along with 150% NPK over control. Organic carbon was improves by 33% over initial (1988) which had direct effect on reduction in soil bulk density (32%) and improved water holding capacity (29%) over the control in plots receiving 150% NPK along with combined application of compost and crop residue. Soil cation exchange capacity and free CaCO3 also showed an alternate trend former being enhanced and later being reduced after 32nd crop cycle in rice-wheat cropping system. Application of different levels of NPK along with different organics improved the overall soil physico-chemical properties which further have direct relation with enhanced crop growth and productivity.

Physical and mechanical properties of calcareous soils: A review

Calcareous soil is widely distributed throughout tropical areas. Due to its unique sedimentary environment and soil behaviors, severe engineering problems and disasters have occurred in many regions. To understand the differences in the mechanical properties of calcareous soils in different regions, material composition, physical and mechanical properties of calcareous soils, including specific gravity and void ratio, compression properties, shear properties, and strength properties, were analyzed. The relationship between the sedimentary environment, material composition, and mechanical properties of calcareous soil was examined based upon the results. Results show that the calcareous soil in the South China Sea has a high calcium carbonate content, large particle size, high compressibility, and low bearing capacity, while sand from the Kish Island in the Persian Gulf and Agami sand from Egypt have low compressibility and high bearing capacity. In the South China Sea, Calcareous soil is more difficult to crush than those from the Hormuz Island and Bushehr Port in the Persian Gulf, Dog’s Bay in Ireland, and Quiou in France. Overall, calcareous soils from various locations exhibit significant differences in properties based upon their physical traits. It is suggested that the influence of sedimentary environment and geological conditions should be considered in engineering constructions.

Fate of Citric Acid Addition on Mineral Elements Availability in Calcareous Soils of Jordan Valley

The variation in physical and chemical properties of calcareous soils in Jordan valley has been changed dramatically due to use large amount of fertilizers in regular manner. Addition of organic acid such as citric acid (CA), can greatly change the pH which can affects plant growth and production, the weakly ionized organic acid present in the calcareous soil mostly in the form of organic matter, can play major rule in soils to raise the availability of mineral nutrients that are essential for crops, by lowering soil density, reducing soil salinity and the effects of suspended particles in soil which may hinder plant growth.
 The reduction in the pH of the soil enhance the availability of nutrients such as Fe, Cu, Zn, ions, by converting the metallic insoluble state to ionic form, and thus nutrients are easily available for plants intake, the salinity of the soil did not change by increasing the citric acid concentration, while the pH of the soil decreases.
 Data are presented to show the effects of citric acid (CA) concentration, ionic concentration of iron, copper, Zinc and manganese and the decrease in soil PH and soil density.