Coarse soil can enhance the availability of nutrients from fine soil

Abstract

A recent trial found that the presence of coarse soil in fine soil increased nutrient uptake by two plant species (Smaill et al., 2014). To determine if the additional nutrient uptake was derived directly from the coarse soil, the changes in coarse soil nutrient stocks were assessed. In most cases nutrient stocks increased, despite being associated with greater plant nutrient uptake. This suggests coarse soil can promote nutrient release from fine soil through some currently unknown mechanism.