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Evaluation of Soil Tests as a Measure of Phosphorus and Potassium Availability in Illinois Coal Waste
Author(s) -
Lewis B. G.,
Mc Kiernan M.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1983.00472425001200030023x
Subject(s) - loam , phosphorus , festuca arundinacea , chemistry , agronomy , potassium , soil test , environmental chemistry , potash , zoology , environmental science , soil water , poaceae , soil science , biology , organic chemistry
The Mitscherlich‐Bray relationship was applied to soil test‐extractable P and K in coal waste, and yield of tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) grown in the waste at pH 6.5. The typical exponential function between yield and extractable P obtained with soil‐grown plants was not exhibited by the waste‐grown plants for dilute acid or acid ammonium fluoride extractants, partly because values > 15 mg/kg extractable P in the waste could not be obtained despite heavy P fertilization. Correlation coefficients ( r 2 ) for extractable P in the growth media vs. P concentrations in shoots were 0.45 for the waste, and 0.81 for Elliott silt loam. Results with extractable K and yield on the waste were inconclusive, due to the confounding effect of an apparent Ca interference with K uptake. It is concluded that results of “soil testing” for P and K in coal waste should be interpreted with caution; in some cases, the tests may be inappropriate as indices of available forms of these elements in the waste.