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The Effect of Gamma Radiation on the Availability of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Soil
Author(s) -
Eno Charles F.,
Popenoe Hugh
Publication year - 1963
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/sssaj1963.03615995002700030025x
Subject(s) - organic matter , nitrogen , incubation , peat , soil water , nutrient , phosphorus , chemistry , environmental chemistry , ammonium acetate , ammonium , soil organic matter , soil test , irradiation , agronomy , environmental science , soil science , ecology , biology , biochemistry , physics , high performance liquid chromatography , organic chemistry , chromatography , nuclear physics
The effects of several levels of gamma radiation ranging from 0 to 2,048 kiloroentgens on the availability of N and P from three fine sands and one peat soil were investigated. Nutrient release was measured chemically and by plant uptake. Irradiation increased the availability of N and P in soils evaluated immediately following irradiation, and after 2 weeks of incubation. This was shown by both chemical and plant uptake measurements. The release of N and P was closely related to soil type and more particularly to its organic matter content. In each case the soil containing the largest amount of organic matter showed the largest increase in extractable N and P after irradiation. An evaluation of the ammonium acetate (pH 4.8) extractable Ca, Mg, and K data indicated that there were no measurable changes in the availability of these elements that could be directly related to irradiation of the soil. The release of N and P, in many soils, will be a significant nutritional factor when plants are grown on irradiated soil.