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- Title
Effects of nitrogen fertilization of grapefruit trees on soil acidification and nutrient availability in a Riviera fine sand
- Authors
He, Z. L.; Calvert, D. V.; Li, Y. C.; Alva, A. K.; Banks, D. J.
- Abstract
Nitrogen (N) fertilizer applied in the NH4+ form results in some degree of soil acidification, which could influence nutrient availability to plants and nutrient losses through leaching. Effects of various N rates (0 - 168 kg N ha-1 yr-1) on soil acidification and nutrient availability were investigated in a Riviera fine sand with 26-year-old white Marsh grapefruit (Citrus paradisi MacFadyen) trees. Soil pH significantly decreased with increasing NH4-N rates. Application of 112 kg N ha-1 yr-1 for four years decreased the pH by 0.7 to 1.7 unit. Soil acidification was greater when the NH4+ form of N fertilizer was applied as dry soluble granular material compared to fertigation or controlled release forms. The marked effect of NH4-N fertilization on the pH of the Riviera fine sand was due to its low buffering capacity. Soil acidification increased the concentration of extractable Fe and P but decreased that of K, Zn and Mn. Soil pH was positively correlated with concentration of Ca, but negatively with concentrations of Fe, Mn and Zn in six-month-old spring flush leaves of the grapefruit trees. Leaf P concentrations, however, were poorly correlated with soil pH. This study also demonstrated an increase in leaching of P and K below the grapefruit trees rootzone with a decrease in soil pH.
- Subjects
SOILS; SOIL science; NITROGEN fertilizers; GRAPEFRUIT; FERTILIZERS; CITRUS; ACIDIFICATION; AGRICULTURE
- Publication
Plant & Soil, 1998, Vol 206, Issue 1, p11
- ISSN
0032-079X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1023/A:1004364805789