Diffusion and solubility control of fertilizer-applied zinc: chemical assessment and visualization

2014

Research organisatons

Trial details

Researcher(s) R Baird
F Degryse
R McLaughlin
Year(s) 2014
Contributor South Australian Research and Development Institute
Trial location(s) Adelaide, SA
Further information View external link
Diffusion and solubility control of fertilizer-applied zinc: chemical assessment and visualization locations
Aims

To develop a method to visualize diffusion of zinc from fertilizers.

Key messages
  • Zinc diffusion was assessed for three fertilizers in three soils of varying pH.
  • The fertilizer (zincSO4-coated monoammonium phosphate, MAP; zincSO4-coated diammonium phosphate, DAP; or zincSO4 alone) was applied in the centre of a Petri dish filled with soil.
  • The zinc diffusion zone was visualized at various incubation times (1, 7 and 18 days) by exposing a CaCO3-impregnated filter paper on the soil surface and colouring the zinc captured on the filter paper using dithizone.
  • The extent of diffusion was also assessed through concentric sampling and chemical analysis of soil sections.
  • The visualization results agreed with the chemical analyses and demonstrated the effects of soil properties and fertilizer formulation on zinc diffusion.
  • Combining zinc with P fertilizer restricted its diffusion, particularly with DAP fertilizer or in high pH soils.
  • Solubility considerations indicated that this was due to the formation of zinc phosphate minerals.
Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation University of Adelaide
Related program More Profit from Crop Nutrition
Acknowledgments N/A
Other trial partners Not specified

Method

Crop type None: No crop specified
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil Properties: Type
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Adelaide 2014

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Other trial notes

Degryse F, Baird R, McLaughlin MJ (2015) Diffusion and solubility control of fertilizer-applied zinc: chemical assessment and visualization. Plant and Soil 386, 195-204.

Trial report and links


No trial reports or attachments found


Trial last modified: 21-10-2019 09:00am AEST