A meta-analysis of exchangeable aluminium in New Zealand soils using the National Soils Database
A. E. Whitley
A B , J. L. Moir A and P. C. Almond A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, PO Box 84, Lincoln, Canterbury, New Zealand.
B Corresponding author. Email: amyewhitley1@gmail.com
Soil Research 57(2) 113-123 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR18246
Submitted: 17 August 2018 Accepted: 27 November 2018 Published: 1 February 2019
Abstract
Soil acidification and associated aluminium toxicity are critical issues in New Zealand, particularly in high and hill country areas. However, there have been few studies that have examined the key drivers of exchangeable Al concentrations in New Zealand soils. The National Soils Database was used to investigate the relationship between soil chemical, physical and environmental variables and KCl-extractable Al (AlKCl) for New Zealand soils. Soil AlKCl concentrations were strongly associated with base saturation, soil pH, cation exchange capacity, total N, total C and soil order. However, the relationships differed among the three depth zones (0–20 cm, 20–50 cm and 50–120 cm). Soil acidity and high cation exchange capacity contributed to high concentrations of AlKCl in the soil, whereas high base saturation and total C had the opposite effect. Total N decreased with increasing AlKCl in the topsoil (0–20 cm), which is likely a response to the effects of Al toxicity on biological N fixation by pasture legumes. Across a pHH2O range of 3.8–6.4, AlKCl was measured at concentrations that can be toxic to sensitive plants (>1.0 cmolc kg−1). Brown Soils and Podzols are likely more susceptible to Al toxicity, with the highest mean concentrations of AlKCl measured across all depth zones.
Additional keywords: base saturation, cation exchange capacity, pH, soil order, total carbon, total nitrogen.
References
Alleoni LRF, Cambri MA, Caires EF, Garbuio FJ (2010) Acidity and aluminum speciation as affected by surface liming in tropical no-till soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal 74, 1010–1017.| Acidity and aluminum speciation as affected by surface liming in tropical no-till soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Askin D, Askin V (Eds) (2016) Financial Budget Manual. (Lincoln University: Christchurch, New Zealand)
Berenji S, Moot DJ, Moir JL, Ridgway H, Rafat A (2017) Dry matter yield, root traits, and nodule occupancy of lucerne and Caucasian clover when grown in acidic soil with high aluminium concentrations. Plant and Soil 416, 227–241.
| Dry matter yield, root traits, and nodule occupancy of lucerne and Caucasian clover when grown in acidic soil with high aluminium concentrations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bhumbla DR, Mclean EO (1965) Aluminum in soils: VI. Changes in pH-dependent acidity, cation-exchange capacity, and extractable aluminum with additions of lime to acid surface soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal 29, 370–374.
| Aluminum in soils: VI. Changes in pH-dependent acidity, cation-exchange capacity, and extractable aluminum with additions of lime to acid surface soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Blakemore LC, Searle PL, Daly BK (1987) ‘Methods for chemical analysis of soils.’ (New Zealand Soil Bureau: Lower Hutt)
Bloom PR, McBride MB, Weaver RM (1979) Aluminum organic matter in acid soils: buffering and solution aluminum activity. Soil Science Society of America Journal 43, 488–493.
| Aluminum organic matter in acid soils: buffering and solution aluminum activity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bolan NS, Hedley MJ (2003) Role of carbon and nitrogen cycles in soil acidification. In ‘Handbook of Soil Acidity’. (Ed. Z Rengel) pp. 47–48. (Marcel Dekker: New York)
Bolan NS, Hedley MJ, White RE (1991) Processes of soil acidification during nitrogen cycling with emphasis on legume based pastures. Plant and Soil 134, 53–63.
| Processes of soil acidification during nitrogen cycling with emphasis on legume based pastures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bot A, Benites J (2005) ‘The importance of soil organic matter.’ Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. Available at http://www.fao.org/3/a-a0100e.pdf
Brady NC, Weil RR (2002) Soil acidity. In ‘The nature and properties of soils’. pp. 364–410. (Pearson Education Inc.: New Jersey, USA)
Brown CD, Green RB (2003) The challenges facing legumes in a dryland environment – a consultant’s view. In ‘Legumes for dryland pastures’, 18–19 November 2003, Lincoln University, NZ. (Ed. DJ Moot) pp. 7–12. (New Zealand Grassland Association: Christchurch)
Dahlgren RA, Ugolini FC (1989) Aluminum fractionation of soil solutions from unperturbed and tephra-treated Spodosols, Cascade Range, Washington, USA. Soil Science Society of America Journal 53, 559–566.
| Aluminum fractionation of soil solutions from unperturbed and tephra-treated Spodosols, Cascade Range, Washington, USA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dixon JL, Chadwick OA, Vitousek PM (2016) Climate-driven thresholds for chemical weathering in postglacial soils of New Zealand. Journal of Geophysical Research. Earth Surface 121, 1619–1634.
| Climate-driven thresholds for chemical weathering in postglacial soils of New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Edmeades DC, Ridley AM (2003) Using lime to ameliorate topsoil and subsoil acidity. In ‘Handbook of Soil Acidity’. (Ed. Z Rengel) pp. 297–336. (CRC Press: Boca Raton, Florida)
Edmeades DC, Smart CE, Wheeler DM (1983) Aluminium toxicity in New Zealand soils: preliminary results on the development of diagnostic criteria. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 26, 493–501.
| Aluminium toxicity in New Zealand soils: preliminary results on the development of diagnostic criteria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Eger A, Hewitt A (2008) Soils and their relationship to aspect and vegetation history in the eastern Southern Alps, Canterbury High Country, South Island, New Zealand. Catena 75, 297–307.
| Soils and their relationship to aspect and vegetation history in the eastern Southern Alps, Canterbury High Country, South Island, New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
FAO, ITPS (2015) Status of the World’s Soil Resources (SWSR) – Main Report. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils: Rome, Italy. Available at http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5199e.pdf
Fox RH (1979) Soil pH, aluminium saturation, and corn grain yield. Soil Science 127, 330–334.
| Soil pH, aluminium saturation, and corn grain yield.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Goh KM, Bruce GE (2005) Comparison of biomass production and biological nitrogen fixation of multi-species pastures (mixed herb leys) with perennial ryegrass-white clover pasture with and without irrigation in Canterbury, New Zealand. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 110, 230–240.
| Comparison of biomass production and biological nitrogen fixation of multi-species pastures (mixed herb leys) with perennial ryegrass-white clover pasture with and without irrigation in Canterbury, New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Goulding KWT (2016) Soil acidification and the importance of liming agricultural soils with particular reference to the United Kingdom. Soil Use and Management 32, 390–399.
| Soil acidification and the importance of liming agricultural soils with particular reference to the United Kingdom.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hargrove WL, Thomas GW (1981) Extraction of aluminum from aluminum-organic matter complexes. Soil Science Society of America Journal 45, 151–153.
| Extraction of aluminum from aluminum-organic matter complexes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hargrove WL, Thomas GW (1984) Extraction of aluminum from aluminium-organic matter in relation to titratable acidity. Soil Science Society of America Journal 48, 1458–1460.
| Extraction of aluminum from aluminium-organic matter in relation to titratable acidity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harrison R, Swift RS, Campbell AS, Tonkin PJ (1990) A study of two soil development sequences located in a montane area of Canterbury, New Zealand, I. Clay mineralogy and cation exchange properties. Geoderma 47, 261–282.
| A study of two soil development sequences located in a montane area of Canterbury, New Zealand, I. Clay mineralogy and cation exchange properties.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Haynes RJ, Williams PH (1993) Nutrient cycling and soil fertility in the grazed pasture ecosystem. In ‘Advances in Agronomy’. Volume 49. (Ed. LS Donald) pp. 119–199. (Academic Press: Lincoln, New Zealand)
Helyar K, Anderson A (1971) Effects of lime on the growth of five species, on aluminium toxicity, and on phosphorus availability. Crop and Pasture Science 22, 707–720.
| Effects of lime on the growth of five species, on aluminium toxicity, and on phosphorus availability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hewitt AE (2010) ‘New Zealand soil classification.’ (Manaaki Whenua Press: Lincoln, New Zealand)
Hewitt A (2013) Survey of New Zealand soil orders. In ‘Ecosystem services in New Zealand: conditions and trends’. (Ed. JR Dymond) pp. 121–131. (Manaaki Whenua Press: Lincoln, New Zealand)
Hinsinger P, Plassard C, Tang C, Jaillard B (2003) Origins of root-mediated pH changes in the rhizosphere and their responses to environmental constraints: A review. Plant and Soil 248, 43–59.
| Origins of root-mediated pH changes in the rhizosphere and their responses to environmental constraints: A review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hue NV, Craddock GR, Adams F (1986) Effect of organic acids on aluminum toxicity in subsoils. Soil Science Society of America Journal 50, 28–34.
| Effect of organic acids on aluminum toxicity in subsoils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hume LJ, Ofsoski NJ, Reynolds J (1988) Influence of pH, exchangeable aluminium and 0.02 M CaCl2-extractable aluminium on the growth and nitrogen-fixing activity of white clover (Trifolium repens) in some New Zealand soils. Plant and Soil 111, 111–119.
| Influence of pH, exchangeable aluminium and 0.02 M CaCl2-extractable aluminium on the growth and nitrogen-fixing activity of white clover (Trifolium repens) in some New Zealand soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ismail I, Blevins RL, Frye WW (1994) Long-term no-tillage effects on soil properties and continuous corn yield. Soil Science Society of America Journal 58, 193–198.
| Long-term no-tillage effects on soil properties and continuous corn yield.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kinraide TB (1991) Identity of the rhizotoxic aluminium species. Plant and Soil 134, 167–178.
| Identity of the rhizotoxic aluminium species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kovács B, Prokisch J, Gyori Z, Kovacs AB, Palencsar A (2000) Studies on soil sample preparation for inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry analysis. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 31, 1949–1963.
| Studies on soil sample preparation for inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Krstic D, Djalovic I, Nikezic D, Bjelic D (2012) Aluminium in acid soils: chemistry, toxicity and impact on maize plants. In ‘Food production – approaches, challenges and tasks’. (Ed. A Aladjadjiyan) (In Tech Europe: Rijeka, Croatia)
Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd 1995. National Soils Database. New Zealand.
Li W, Johnson CE (2016) Relationships among pH, aluminum solubility and aluminum complexation with organic matter in acid forest soils of the northeastern United States. Geoderma 271, 234–242.
| Relationships among pH, aluminum solubility and aluminum complexation with organic matter in acid forest soils of the northeastern United States.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lundström US (1993) The role of organic acids in the soil solution chemistry of a podzolised soil. Journal of Soil Science 44, 121–133.
| The role of organic acids in the soil solution chemistry of a podzolised soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Manoharan V (1997) Impacts of phosphate fertiliser application on soil acidity and aluminium phytotoxicity. Massey University.
Marschner H (1995) ‘Mineral nutrition of higher plants.’ (Academic press: New York)
Maxwell TMR, Moir JL, Edwards GR (2012) Sulphur and lime response of four adventive annual clovers grown in a New Zealand high country soil under glasshouse conditions. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 55, 47–62.
| Sulphur and lime response of four adventive annual clovers grown in a New Zealand high country soil under glasshouse conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McCauley, A, Jones, C, Jacobsen, J, 2003. Soil pH and organic matter. Nutrient management – a self study course from the MSU extension service continuing education series.
McColl JG, Pohlman AA (1986) Soluble organic acids and their chelating influence on Al and other metal dissolution from forest soils. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 31, 917–927.
| Soluble organic acids and their chelating influence on Al and other metal dissolution from forest soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McLaren RG, Cameron KC (1996) ‘Soil Science: sustainable production and environmental protection.’ (Oxford University Press: Melbourne, Australia)
Milne JDG, Clayden B, Singleton PL, Wilson AD (1995) Particle-size distribution. In ‘Soil description handbook revised edition’. pp. 45–54. (Manaaki Whenua Press, Landcare Research New Zealand Lincoln, Canterbury, New Zealand)
Moir JL, Moot DJ (2010) Soil pH, exchangeable aluminium and lucerne yield responses to lime in a South Island high country soil. Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association 72, 191–195.
Moir JL, Moot DJ (2014) Medium-term soil pH and exchangeable aluminium response to liming at three high country locations. Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association 76, 41–46.
Moir JL, Hedley MJ, Mackay AD, Tillman RW (1997) The effect of fertiliser history on nutrient accumulation and plant-available nutrient supply in legume-based pasture soils. In ‘XVIII International Grasslands Congress’. Winnipeg, Canada. (Eds JG Buchanan-Smith, LD Bailey, P McCaughey) pp. 68–69. (International Grassland Association, Agriculture and Agri-Food: Ottawa, Canada)
Moir J, Jordan P, Moot DJ, Lucas D (2016) Phosphorus response and optimum pH ranges of twelve pasture legumes grown in an acid upland New Zealand soil under glasshouse conditions. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 16, 438–460.
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (2015). The NIWA core funded project: Climate Present and Past, CAOA1501 (500 cell size).
Nelson PN, Su N (2010) Soil pH buffering capacity: descriptive function and its application to some acidic tropical soils. Australian Journal of Soil Research 48, 201–207.
| Soil pH buffering capacity: descriptive function and its application to some acidic tropical soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Parfitt RL (1980) Chemical properties of variable charge soils. In ‘Soils with variable charge’. (Ed. BKG Theng) pp. 167–194. (New Zealand Society of Soil Science: Palmerston North, New Zealand)
Parfitt RL (1991) Regressions of toxic Aluminium level (KCl-Al) against pH, clay and clay mineral contents of soils. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Lower Hutt, New Zealand. Available.
Peoples MB, Baldock JA (2001) Nitrogen dynamics of pastures: nitrogen fixing inputs, the impact of legumes on soil nitrogen fertility, and the contributions of fixed nitrogen to Australian farming systems. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41, 327–346.
| Nitrogen dynamics of pastures: nitrogen fixing inputs, the impact of legumes on soil nitrogen fertility, and the contributions of fixed nitrogen to Australian farming systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rowell DL (1988) Soil acidity and alkalinity. In ‘Russell’s soil conditions and plant growth.’ (Ed. A Wild) pp. 844–899. (Longman Scientific & Technical: Harlow, UK)
Schnitzer M, Gupta UC (1965) Determination of acidity in soil organic matter. Soil Science Society of America Journal 29, 274–277.
| Determination of acidity in soil organic matter.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schoeneberger PJ, Wysocki DA, Benham EC, Soil Survey Staff (2012) ‘Field book for describing and sampling soils version 3.0.’ (Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Soil Survey Centre: Lincoln, NE)
Scott BJ, Ewing MA, Williams R, Humphries AW, Coombes NE (2008) Tolerance of aluminium toxicity in annual Medicago species and lucerne. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 499–511.
| Tolerance of aluminium toxicity in annual Medicago species and lucerne.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Singleton PL, Edmeades DC, Smart RE, Wheeler DM (1987) Soil acidity and aluminium and manganese toxicity in the Te Kauwhata area, North Island, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 30, 517–522.
| Soil acidity and aluminium and manganese toxicity in the Te Kauwhata area, North Island, New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sokal RR, Rohlf FJ (2012) Multiple and curvilinear regression. In ‘Biometry: the principles and practice of statistics in biological research’. pp. 650–652. (W. H. Freeman and Company: New York, USA)
Takahashi T, Dahlgren RA (1998) Possible control of aluminum solubility by 1 M KCl treatment in some soils dominated by aluminum-humus complexes. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 44, 43–51.
| Possible control of aluminum solubility by 1 M KCl treatment in some soils dominated by aluminum-humus complexes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tan KH (2010) Soil reaction. In ‘Principles of soil chemistry’. pp. 243–266. (CRC Press: Boca Raton, Florida)
Thomas GW (1975) The relationship between organic matter content and exchangeable aluminum in acid soil. Soil Science Society of America Journal 39, 591
| The relationship between organic matter content and exchangeable aluminum in acid soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
USDA, NRCS (2005) Global soil regions map. Available at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/use/?cid=nrcs142p2_054013
van Hees PAW, Lundström US, Giesler R (2000) Low molecular weight acids and their Al complexes in soil solution: composition, distribution and seasonal variation in three podzolized soils. Geoderma 94, 173–200.
| Low molecular weight acids and their Al complexes in soil solution: composition, distribution and seasonal variation in three podzolized soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Von Uexküll HR, Mutert E (1995) Global extent, development and economic impact of acid soils. Plant and Soil 171, 1–15.
| Global extent, development and economic impact of acid soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Webb, TH, 2014. Discussions about the National Soils Database and additional data to add to the dataset.
Webb TH, Campbell AS, Fox FB (1986) Effect of rainfall on pedogenesis in a climosequence of soils near Lake Pukaki, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 29, 323–334.
| Effect of rainfall on pedogenesis in a climosequence of soils near Lake Pukaki, New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Whitley, AE, Moir, JL, Almond, PC, Moot, DJ (2016) Soil pH and exchangeable aluminium in contrasting high and hill country soils. Hill country – grassland research and practice series 16, 169–172. Available at: https://www.grassland.org.nz/publications/nzgrassland_publication_2803.pdf [verified 28 November 2018]
Wigley K (2017) Aspects of soil ecology of rhizobia affecting nodule occupancy on lucerne and white clover. Lincoln University.
Willoughby EJ, Wilde RH, McLeod M, Hewitt AE, Webb TH (2001) National Soils Database audit: a document describing Landcare Research soils data. Available.
