Organic acids such as citrate and oxalate have been implicated in enhancing many rhizosphere processes including nutrient acquisition. This study was conducted to determine the importance of organic acid type and concentration on rhizosphere P mobilization and subsequent uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) roots and its translocation to shoots. A single wheat plant was grown in soil-filled rhizosphere microcosms and allowed to pass through a KH 2 PO 4 33 P-isotopically labeled patch of calcareous soil. Two days after 33 P-injection, citrate and oxalate at concentrations of 1 mM and 10 mM were injected into the microcosms at the same patch every day over a period of 4 days. Oxalate resulted in a several-fold enhancement in plant 33 P accumulation, while citrate had no such effect. In comparison with oxalate, high rates of citrate mineralization were observed suggesting that this reduced its potential to enhance plant 33 P acquisition. This study concludes that organic acids cause an increase in P mobilization and P uptake by wheat but that this response is highly organic acid specific.

Abstract. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of organic acids on the concentrations of metals and anions in soil solution. Three soils with contrasting CaCO 3 contents were extracted with organic acid solutions (citrate and oxalate) of different concentrations for different time periods and analysed for Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, P, and Ca. The soils showed a significant change after the addition of the organic acids to the soil. The mobilisation of metals from the solid phase was dependent on concentration and ionic form of organic acid. High concentrations of citric acid were more effective than oxalate in mobilising Ca, Fe, Mn, and Zn. Overall; oxalate was slightly more effective than citrate in mobilising P. Generally, the higher the organic acid concentration of the extractant solution, the greater was the amount of elements extracted from the soil. Citrate tended to be more effective than oxalate at mobilising elements from the soil. All pH changes were dependent on organic acid concentration.

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