Evaluation of Mehlich 3 for extraction of copper and zinc from Irish grassland soils and for prediction of herbage content

D. Brennan, B. Coulter, G. Mullen, R. Courtney

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine how the extractant Mehlich 3 (M3) compared with other methods currently used in Ireland for determination of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in soils. Samples from eight different mineral soil types, four of sandstone/shale and four of limestone origin, were analyzed for copper and zinc using M3 and conventional extractants. Herbage samples were taken from the soils and analyzed for Cu and Zn. Mehlich 3 results showed good correlation with ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA)- and diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Cu and Zn. Inclusion of soil properties in multiple regression models improved the coefficients of determination. All extractants were equal in their ability to predict Cu and Zn herbage content. Differences between sandstone/shale and limestone soils in relation to herbage content were also found, with the better relationship found in sandstone/shale soils.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1943-1962
Number of pages20
JournalCommunications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis
Volume39
Issue number13-14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2008

Keywords

  • Copper
  • DTPA
  • EDTA
  • Mehlich 3
  • Mineral soils
  • Zinc

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