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Effects of Zinc Fertilization on Zinc Dynamics in Potentially Zinc‐Deficient Calcareous Soil
Author(s) -
Lu Xinchun,
Cui Juan,
Tian Xiaohong,
Ogunniyi Jumoke E.,
Gale William J.,
Zhao Aiqing
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj2011.0417
Subject(s) - calcareous , zinc , fertilizer , chemistry , human fertilization , calcareous soils , agronomy , micronutrient , soil water , environmental chemistry , botany , biology , ecology , organic chemistry
In China, wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) grown on Zn‐deficient calcareous soils often fails to meet the dietary needs of local populations. The effectiveness of Zn application to a potentially Zn‐deficient calcareous soil was measured using two winter wheat cultivars and five Zn fertilizer rates (0, 7.5, 15, 30, 45 kg Zn ha −1 ). The results showed that Zn fertilizer increased grain Zn concentration in 2008–2009 by 11 to 33%; however, grain Zn concentrations were still insufficient for human dietary requirements. The apparent Zn utilization efficiency was between 0.14 and 0.98%. Within 1 wk of fertilizer Zn application, Zn weakly bound to organic matter (Wbo‐Zn) increased by amounts equivalent to 63.4 to 84.0% of the fertilizer Zn application. Carbonate‐bound Zn increased by amounts equivalent to 6.5 to 10.3% of the fertilizer Zn. The Wbo‐Zn fraction decreased gradually with time, whereas mineral‐bound Zn increased. Calculations indicated that 62.0 to 78.1% of the fertilizer Zn was mineral bound after 639 d. Diethyltriamine pentaacetic acid extractable Zn concentrations increased by 267 to 529% immediately after Zn fertilization but then decreased. In conclusion, available soil Zn concentrations increased quickly after Zn fertilizer application to a potentially Zn‐deficient calcareous soil; however, the available Zn fractions were soon converted to mineral‐bound forms that were unavailable for plant uptake.