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The Effect of Calcium on the Growth of Soybeans Supplied with Ammonium Nitrogen
Author(s) -
Siegel J. J.,
Hough H. W.,
Turk L. M.
Publication year - 1952
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1952.03615995001600020020x
Subject(s) - ammonium , nitrogen , chemistry , calcium , nitrification , nutrient , ammonium sulfate , calcium nitrate , nitrate , ammonium nitrate , agronomy , soil water , botany , biology , ecology , organic chemistry
Nitrification was inhibited in soils treated with fumigants, resulting in the accumulation of ammonium. A study was made of the effects of this reduced form of nitrogen on the growth of soybeans. Soybeans were grown in sterile nutrient cultures and were supplied nitrogen in the form of nitrate, ammonium, or amino acids at varying levels of calcium. The plants receiving ammonium had a higher content of protein and matured earlier but did not produce as much vegetative growth. High calcium levels in the nutrient solution resulted in the best plant growth where the source of nitrogen was ammonium. The total mineral cation uptake was lower in the ammonium‐supplied plants than in those supplied with nitrate indicating that ammonium enters into the cation balance. Soybeans grown on soils fumigated with Dowfumes N, W‐40, and MC‐2 responded favorably to high levels of calcium. The plants grew rapidly and had a high protein content although the total mineral cation uptake was less than that of the untreated soils. A high level of calcium is necessary where ammonium is the source of nitrogen.