Summary
A pot culture experiment was conducted to determine the CaCO3 percentage at which it exerts its drastic effect on plant growth, P32 and Fe uptake as a criterion for the definition of calcareous soils. Soil mixtures were prepared by mixing different calculated amounts of Nile loam, fine sand and fine oolitic sand to give mixtures containing 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% CaCO3. The mixtures were so prepared that their clay contents were equal and having the same texture. Corn plants were selected for this study.
The results of plant growth, P32, and Fe uptake supports each other and clearly indicate that when CaCO3 reaches 8 percent of the soil components, it controls its biological and chemical characteristics. A conclusion was drawn that 8% CaCO3 could be the margin at which the soil can be considered calcareous.
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Anter, F., Hilal, M.H. & El-Damaty, A.H. A chemical and biological approach towards the definition of calcareous soils. Plant Soil 39, 479–486 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00264166
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00264166