manganese toxicity

ARTICLE 1/2 THE NATURE OF SOIL ACIDITY AND IT’S DIAGNOSIS Acid soil conditions restricting crop growth occur widely in the eastern parts of South Africa. In the higher rainfall areas, soils are often naturally acidic; however, human intervention may accelerate acidification. It is worth noting that soil acidity problems are by no means unique to this country: worldwide, approximately 30% of the land available for cultivation is acidic. Farmers frequently have difficulty in getting to grips with the various soil acidity parameters listed in soil test reports, and furthermore, may be presented with conflicting advice regarding the use of products such as lime and gypsum. The purpose of these articles is to provide scientifically sound and practically useful answers to questions such as: “What exactly is soil acidity?”, “How does it impact crops?”, and “How is it best managed?” SOIL ACIDITY – WHAT IS IT, AND WHAT CAUSES IT? In order to gain a working understanding of soil acidity, there is a need to touch on some basic soil chemistry. Clays and organic matter in the soil carry a negative charge. In a soil that is not acidic, this negative charge is balanced by the positive charge on certain plant nutrients, in particular, calcium (Ca++) magnesium (Mg++) and potassium (K+). As soils acidify, concentrations of other non-nutrient elements, in particular hydrogen (H+) and aluminium (Al+++), as well as manganese (Mn++), increase, and they take the place of nutrients such as calcium and magnesium on the clays and organic matter (Figure 1). Under non-acidic conditions, the aluminium and manganese are contained in the clay and other soil mineral particles, but as acidity increases, clay edges start dissolving, releasing soluble aluminium and manganese into the soil. Importantly, from the perspective of managing soil acidity, it is the soluble aluminium, and sometimes manganese, which are the most important growth-limiting factors in acid soils. Furthermore, it must be borne in mind that pH measures only the concentration of hydrogen in the soil, and not that of aluminium and manganese. These considerations are of cardinal importance in terms of the development of economically sound recommendations for the correction of acidity problems. What causes soils to acidify? Although, as noted earlier, acid soils occur widely in nature, the following human activities may markedly accelerate acidification: Acid rain, resulting from atmospheric pollution by industry. This has been shown to be a major contributory factor in some Highveld areas. The use of nitrogenous fertilizers, particularly when applied in excess of immediate crop requirements. The removal of basic nutrients (calcium, magnesium and potassium) in harvested crops and animal products. Accelerated decomposition of soil organic matter as a result of tillage. SOIL ACIDITY – EFFECTS ON CROP GROWTH The effects of soil acidity on crop growth tend to be insidious, in that it is in the root zone where the major impact occurs. Damage caused to the root system and the unfavourable soil chemistry associated with excessive acidity are translated into poor crop growth, with there frequently being no classical…