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Effects of By-Product Sulfuric Acid on Phyto Availability of Nutrients in Irrigated Calcareous, Saline-Sodic Soils¹

ABSTRACT

Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) is produced during the SO₂ scrubbing process at Cu smelters, and "spent" H₂SO₄ is a waste product from oil refineries. A 2-year field study was conducted on two irrigated soils high in salts and Na in southcentral Montana to evaluate the effectiveness of H₂SO₄ for improving nutrient availability and growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare). Treatments included several rates of smelter acid, and comparisons with gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O), spent acid, and feedlot cattle manure in combination with smelter acid. Levels of P, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn were measured in the soil, and plant uptake of these elements plus N, K, Ca, Mg, and Na were determined for the second-year harvest. Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) was measured in soil extract from the 0- to 5-cm layer at harvest.

Sulfuric acid was an effective amendment for improving soil nutrient availability, barley dry-matter yield, nutrient uptake, and for reducing SAR and plant uptake of Na. Both smelter acid and spent acid were similar in their effects. Equivalent rates of gypsum and H₂SO₄ compared in this research were similar for increasing soil Zn, Cu, and Mn availability and for increasing nutrient uptake and barley yield. Sulfuric acid, but not gypsum, increased available soil P and Fe levels.

Sulfuric acid used in combination with manure provided a substantial additional increase in available soil P, Zn, and Mn over acid used alone. The manure-plus-acid treatment raised available P in the surface 20 cm of soil from an initial level of 5 mg/kg to a level adequate for good crop growth (ca. 24 mg/kg). Manure plus H₂SO₄ produced the highest barley yield and nutrient uptake.

Key Words: soil reclamation • micronutrients • macronutrients • barley growth

¹ Contribution of the Montana Agric. Exp. Stn., Montana State Univ., Bozeman, MT 59717. Published with the approval of the Director, Montana Agric. Exp. Stn. as J. Series no. 1396.

² Former Research Assistant in Soils, Plant & Soil Sci. Dep., Montana State Univ. (presently Research Assistant in Soils, Dep. of Soil Sci., Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706); former Associate Professor of Soils, Montana Agric. Exp. Stn. (presently Associate Professor of Soils, Texas A&M Agric. Res. and Ext. Center, Overton, TX 75684); and Professors of Soil Science, Plant & Soil Sci. Dep., Montana State Univ., respectively.

Received for publication March 23, 1983.