The Effect of the Calcium‐Magnesium Ratio on the Solubility and Availability of Plant Nutrients

Abstract

The purpose of the present paper is to determine the effect of the Ca‐Mg ratio in solution and in the soil on the solubility and availability of certain plant nutrients. In recent years many papers have been published on the effect of the Ca‐Mg ratio on crop production. Certain papers and unpublished data have indicated that the Ca‐Mg ratio affects the solubility of other plant nutrients, esepecially phosphorus, including some of the minor or trace elements. Nutrient solutions have been made up and mixed with common soil clay kaolin as an adsorbing component. The solubility of B, Mn, Zn, Cu, K, and P were determined. Soil from the Kingman area which is quite low in Mg was obtained for greenhouse studies. Wheat and sorghum were grown and analyzed for the above elements. Plant uptake of the nutrients was plotted against the Ca‐Mg ratio. The results showed: A varying Ca:Mg ratio in Kingman soil produced a difference in the weight and height of the plants grown with a maximum plant growth at a Ca‐Mg mol. ratio of 4‐1. All the nutrient elements studied were affected by a varying Ca:Mg ratio in the soil. The effects observed on the minor elements in wheat and sorghum agree qualitatively with most of the effects observed in nutrient solution studies. No direct correlation was found between the ratio of Ca:Mg in the soil as compared to the ratio in the plants, but a general correlation occurs. An overall maximum uptake of the minor elements seems to be provided for both wheat and sorghum at a Ca:Mg ratio of approximately 4:1. A high magnesium soil favors the uptake of Mn and Zn by sorghum and K, B, and Mn by wheat.

Effect of Calcium/Magnesium Ratio in Soil on Magnesium Availability, Yield, and Yield Components of Maize

“…These findings agree with the report of Hunter (1949), who indicated that the exchangeable Ca/Mg ratio in the soil had no effect on the yield of alfalfa but affected the uptake of Ca and Mg. It also corroborates the finding of Sanik (1952), who observed that varying the Ca/Mg exchangeable ratio produced only small yield differences. However, maize plants in many plots in the two distinct locations exhibited Mg-deficiency symptoms, but yields were not significantly affected.…”

Effect of Biogas Digestate and Mineral Fertilisation on the Soil Properties and Yield and Nutritional Value of Switchgrass Forage

“…The optimal Ca to Mg ratio should be 7:1 [76]. According to Sanik et al [77], the Ca:Mg ratio has an impact on the solubility of cations in the soil solution. In our studies, the soil was very low in Mg and although it was not possible to obtain such favourable relations, the introduction of both mineral fertilisation and the digestate, especially a higher dose, resulted in a clear narrowing of the Ca:Mg ratio from 15:1 to 11.5-11.0:1.…”

Effects of calcium and its interaction with phosphorus on the nutrient status and growth of three Lupinus species

“…Calcium can interact with the uptake of other ions, including P. For example, it inhibits the translocation of manganese (Mn) to the leaves of barley, and thus reduces Mn-toxicity symptoms (Alam et al 2006) or alleviates sodium (Na) or aluminium (Al) toxicity by preventing Na + -or Al 3+ -induced disturbances of cellular Ca 2+ -homeostasis (Rengel 1992a, Rengel 1992b. A high Ca supply decreases the P uptake of wheat (Sanik et al 1952), but increases the P-absorption rate of some legumes (Bell et al 1989), and aggravates P-toxicity symptoms of Grevillea cv. 'Poorinda Firebird' (Proteaceae) (Nichols and Beardsell 1981).…”