Aluminum diffusion in Oxisols as influenced by soil water matric potential, ph, lime, gypsum, potassium chloride, and calcium phosphate

Abstract

Plant root exposure to soil aluminum (Al) depends on the soil solution Al concentration and transport to the root by diffusion. Changes in Al diffusive flux for two Oxisols was measured under laboratory conditions as a function of pH, water matric potential, and applications of gypsum, potassium chloride, and calcium phosphate. Double‐faced cation exchange resin sheets served as sinks for Al transported during 10‐day incubations through chambers containing 314 cm³ of soil. Across a range of soil pH values from 4.5 to 5.5, maximum diffusive flux of Al occurred at pH values of 4.7–4.8 in both soils and corresponded to increases of 2.2–3.0% relative to the unlimed treatment. Between pH values of 4.7–4.8 and 5.4, diffusive flux of Al decreased by 38 and 46% in the two Oxisols. Diffusive flux of Al decreased by 16–20% for the two Oxisols as soil water potentials decreased from ‐10 to ‐200 kPa. Magnitude of the reductions in diffusive flux of Al with decreasing soil water potential were less than those reported for diffusive flux of phosphorus (P) in prior investigations. Diffusive flux of Al increased by as much as 4‐fold with additions of CaSO₄ and KCl, which increased the soil solution Al concentration. Additions of 400 mg P dm^‐3 of soil had no effect on Al diffusion in either Oxisol.