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Analysis of soil solution as a guide to the nutrient status of glasshouse soils

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Summary

Plots receiving three rates of nitrogen and potassium in factorial combination, cropped successively with lettuce and tomatoes, have been used to study the composition of the soil solution by means of in situ samplers. The electrical conductivity, potassium and nitrate-nitrogen contents of the soil solutions were highly correlated with the corresponding data from conventional soil extracts. The proportion of unevenly ripened tomatoes was equally well correlated with the potassium content of the soil solution (r = −0.91) and soil extracts (r = −0.90).

Used in conjunction with accepted values of soil analysis, regression equations indicated concentrations of about 130 and 430 ppm K in the soil solution as suitable for flower crops and tomatoes respectively, together with 180–290 ppm NO3-N.

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Adams, P., Winsor, G.W. Analysis of soil solution as a guide to the nutrient status of glasshouse soils. Plant Soil 39, 649–659 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00264181

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00264181

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