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Aims: The study aimed to find soil parameters that are best related to Se plant uptake for low Se soils with predominantly organic Se, and to explore the mechanisms that control Se bioavailability in the soils under study. Methods: A pot experiment using nineteen soil samples taken from different fields of arable land (potato fields) in the Netherlands was conducted on summer wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Selenium in wheat shoots and soil parameters, including basic soil properties, C:N ratio, inorganic selenite content, and Se and organic C in different soil extractions (0.01 M CaCl2, 0.43 M HNO3, hot water, ammonium oxalate, aqua regia) were analysed. Regression analysis was performed to identify soil parameters that determine Se content in wheat shoots. Results: The regression model shows that Se:DOC ratio in 0.01 M CaCl2 soil extraction explained about 88 % of the variability of Se uptake in wheat shoots. Selenium uptake increased with Se:DOC ratio in CaCl2 extraction, which can be interpreted as a measure of the content of soluble Se-rich organic molecules. Selenium:DOC ratio in CaCl2 extraction and Se uptake increased towards higher soil pH and lower soil C:N ratio. The soil C:N ratio is also negatively correlated to Se:organic C ratio in other extractions (0.43 M HNO3, hot water, ammonium oxalate, aqua regia), indicating that at low soil C:N ratio soil organic matter is richer in Se. Contrarily, the soil pH is positively and strongly correlated to Se:organic C ratio in CaCl2 and hot water extractions, but only weakly correlated to Se:organic C ratio in other extractions. Conclusions: Selenium-rich dissolved organic matter is the source of bioavailable Se in low Se soils with predominantly organic Se. The soil pH and quality of soil organic matter (i.e. soil C:N ratio) are the main soil properties determining Se bioavailability in these soil types.

The application of FeEDDHA products is the most common practice to prevent or to remedy Fe chlorosis in crops grown on calcareous soils. These products consist of a mixture of EDDHA components chelated to Fe. In this study such mixtures have been divided into four (groups of) components: racemic o,o-EDDHA, meso o,o-EDDHA, o,p-EDDHA and rest-EDDHA. Because the physical and chemical properties of these components differ, so does their effectiveness in delivering Fe to the plant. This effectiveness has not yet been examined in soil application, but needs to be understood to come to an adequate Fe fertilization recommendation. In this study the influence of composition of FeEDDHA treatments on Fe uptake by soybean plants (Glycine Max (L.) Merr. cv. Mycogen 5072) grown on calcareous soils was examined in two pot trials involving eight soils. The FeEDDHA treatments were equal in Fe dose but differed in 0,0-FeEDDHA content, and were applied prior to the set in of chlorosis. The o,o-FeEDDHA content largely determined the Fe concentration in the pore water. In turn, in soils that induced chlorosis, the Fe concentration in the pore water determined the Fe uptake. The relationship between Fe concentration and Fe uptake is non-linear: initially Fe uptake increases strongly with increasing Fe concentration, but the slope flattens and a plateau is reached. FeEDDHA treatments increased both yield (up to 30%) and Fe content of the plant tissue (up to 50%). From FeEDDHA products with a higher o,o-FeEDDHA content, a smaller Fe dose is required to obtain the same results in terms of yield and Fe nutritional value

FeEDDHA products are applied to correct iron chlorosis in plants and consist of a mixture of EDDHA isomers chelated to iron. In this study such mixtures have been divided into four (groups of) isomers: racemic o,o-EDDHA, meso o,o-EDDHA, o,p-EDDHA and rest-EDDHA. The physical and chemical properties of these isomers differ and hence does their ability to deliver Fe to plants. To come to a soil-specific iron fertilization recommendation, the behaviour of the EDDHA isomers in the soil needs to be understood. This behaviour has been examined in a soil interaction experiment as a function of time, and it has been related to soil properties. The isomer fractions remaining in solution can be ranked racemic o,o-FeEDDHA > meso o,o-FeEDDHA > rest-FeEDDHA > o,p-FeEDDHA, regardless of soil properties. The o,o-EDDHA isomers largely determine the Fe concentration in solution. Although rest-EDDHA also consists of compounds that chelate Fe more strongly than meso o,o-EDDHA, the latter is on average better capable of keeping Fe in solution upon interaction with soil. The principal adsorption surface differs per EDDHA isomer. For racemic o,o-FeEDDHA it is organic matter, for meso o,o-FeEDDHA it is iron (hydr)oxide and for o,p-FeEDDHA clay minerals. Cu and Al are important competing cations. Cu forms soluble complexes with o,p-EDDHA, and Al with meso o,o-EDDHA not chelated to Fe. Al is likely to affect the effectiveness of a potential shuttle effect. The tendency of o,p-FeEDDHA and rest-FeEDDHA to be removed from solution, makes these isomers less effective as iron fertilizer in soil application, in particular on clay soils.

Aims Zinc (Zn) and phosphorus (P) deficiency often occurs at the same time and limits crop production in many soils. It has been suggested that citrate root exudation is a response of plants to both deficiencies. We used white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) as a model plant to clarify if citrate exuded by roots could increase the bioavailability of Zn and P in calcareous soils. Methods White lupin was grown in nutrient solution and in two calcareous soils in a rhizobox. Rhizosphere soil solution was sampled to determine citrate, metals and P. Based on the measured citrate concentrations, a soil extraction experiment with citrate as extractant was done. Results Absence of Zn triggered neither cluster root formation nor citrate exudation of white lupin grown in nutrient solution, whereas low P supply did. The maximum citrate concentration (similar to 1.5 mM) found in the cluster rhizosphere soil solution of one soil mobilized P, but not Zn. In the other soil the highest citrate concentration (similar to 0.5 mM) mobilized both elements. Conclusions White lupin does not respond to low Zn bioavailability by increasing citrate exudation. Such a response was observed at low P supply only. Whether Zn and P can be mobilized by citrate is soil-dependent and the possible controlling mechanisms are discussed.

FeEDDHA products are widely used to prevent and remedy Fe chlorosis in crops grown on calcareous soils. These products consist of a mixture of FeEDDHA components: racemic o,o-FeEDDHA, meso o,o-FeEDDHA, o,p-FeEDDHA and rest-FeEDDHA. The FeEDDHA components differ in physical and chemical properties, and as a consequence also in effectiveness as Fe fertilizer. In order to efficiently match dose, frequency and moment of FeEDDHA application with the Fe requirements of plants, it is important to understand the behaviour of the FeEDDHA components in the soil-plant system as a function of time and dosage, and to relate this behaviour to Fe uptake by plants. These issues have been examined in a pot trial study with soybean plants (Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv Mycogen 5072) grown on calcareous soil from Santomera, Spain. Four FeEDDHA treatments (two compositions, two dosages) were applied prior to the set in of chlorosis. Leaching of FeEDDHA components was prevented. Plant and soil were sampled every week, for six weeks. From one week onward the Fe concentration in the pore water was largely gouverned by racemic and meso o,o-FeEDDHA. The concentration behaviour of the o,o-FeEDDHA isomers underwent two stages: a strong decline within the first week resulting from linear adsorption, and a gradual decline from one week onward. For meso o,o-FeEDDHA, unlike racemic o,o-FeDDHA, the gradual decline could be mathematically well described with an exponential decay function. Soybean plants mainly took up Fe in the progressed vegetative stage (3rd and 4th week) and in the reproductive stage, when the pods were being filled with seeds (6th week). Fe uptake and removal of racemic o,o-FeEDDHA from the soil system display a similar time-trend, whereas the removal of meso o,o-FeEDDHA had a plant-independent character. This indicates the removal of racemic o,o-FeEDDHA is to a larger extent plant-related.