Summary
Perennial ryegrass and red clover were grown in the glasshouse on six soils from different geochemical environments in Co. Limerick, Somerset, and Staffordshire, to study the influence of various soil additives on the uptake of molybdenum and selenium by the plants.
Ammonium sulphate most successfully and consistently depressed the uptake of molybdenum by perennial ryegrass and red clover. It seems that the decrease in the molybdenum content of the herbage is caused largely by the ammonium ion. Uptake may also be decreased by dilution due to the greater amount of dry matter produced, by acidification of the soil and by the effect of the sulphate ion. The importance of these contributing factors differs from one environment to another.
Ammonium sulphate and elemental sulphur markedly decreased the selenium content of herbage, the ammonium salt giving the most persistent effect. Both the ammonium and the sulphate ions seem to be involved.
On most of the soils tested ammonium sulphate decreased molybdenum contents of herbage from potentially toxic to marginal or normal amounts. Calcium orthophosphate and potassium sulphate sometimes increased molybdenum and selenium uptake and the use of these fertilizers on toxic soils should be considered with caution. Liming consistently increased herbage molybdenum content.
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Williams, C., Thornton, I. The effect of soil additives on the uptake of molybdenum and selenium from soils from different environments. Plant Soil 36, 395–406 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01373493
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01373493