Abstract. This study examined and compared the fixation and fixation kinetics of copper (Cu) in chelated (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, EDTA) and non-chelated mixed systems of micronutrients in the semiarid soils of the Southern High Plains, USA, using findings from Cu extraction studies and kinetic models. Approximately, 22 % more Cu was fixed in the non-chelated system compared to the chelated within the first 14 days with only 7 % difference between the two systems by day 90. Findings suggest a decrease in the effectiveness of chelated micronutrients over time, highlighting the significance of timing even when chelated micronutrients are used. The strengths of the relationship of change in available Cu with respect to other micronutrients (iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn)) were higher in the nonchelated system (R 2 : 0.68-0.94), compared to the chelated (R 2 : 0.42-0.81), with slopes of 0.40 (Cu-Fe), 0.31 (Cu-Mn), and 1.04 (Cu-Zn) in the non-chelated system and 0.26 (CuFe), 0.22 (Cu-Mn), and 0.90 (Cu-Zn) in the chelated system. Reduction in the amount of available Cu was best described by the power function model (R 2 = 0.91, SE = 0.081) in the non-chelated system and second-order model (R 2 = 0.95, SE = 0.010) in the chelated system. The applications generated from this study could be used as tools for improved micronutrient management and also provide baseline data for future work in other semiarid/arid alkaline soils of the world. Findings are also more applicable to field settings, an improvement over related previous studies.

This study examined the fixation pattern and kinetics of plant-available [diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable] copper (Cu), as well as basic soil properties that influence Cu availability in selected semi-arid soils. Soil samples from six different series were used and data obtained from Cu extraction experiments fitted to various kinetic models. Soils were also characterized for a suite of chemical and physical properties. The majority (80%) of the plant-available Cu fixed over the experimental period of 90 d occurred within the first 14 d. The amount of plant-available Cu fixed within the first 14 d tended to be influenced by the combination of organic matter (OM) and pH. The total amount of Cu fixed at the end of the experimental period of 90 d was influenced by pH and a combination of pH and calcium carbonate. The fixation of plant-available Cu over the experimental period was better described by the power function model [R 2 = 0.90, Standard Error (SE) = 0.099] but poorly by the other models (R 2 : 0.58 to 0.59), while reactions within the first 35 d were better described by the second-order model (R 2 = 0.98, SE = 0.008), suggesting a different fixation pattern. Findings from this study provide a basis for a more mechanistic approach to evaluating and comparing the fixation of Cu micronutrient compounds in these semi-arid soils for more scientific management decision making.

Abstract. The relationship between the deficiency of a nutrient in plants and its total concentration in the soil is complex. This study examined and compared the fixation and fixation kinetics of copper (Cu) in chelated (Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, EDTA) and non-chelated mixed systems of micronutrients in the semi-arid soils of the Southern High Plains, US using findings from Cu extraction studies and kinetic models. Approximately, 22 % more Cu was fixed in the non-chelated system within the first 14 days with only 7 % difference between the two systems by day 90. Findings suggest a decrease in the effectiveness of chelated micronutrient over time, highlighting the significance of timing even when chelated micronutrients are applied. The strengths of the relationship of change in available Cu with respect to other micronutrients [iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn)] were higher in the non-chelated system (R2: 0.68–0.94), compared to the chelated (R2: 0.42–0.81) with slopes of 0.40 (Cu–Fe), 0.31 (Cu–Mn), and 1.04 (Cu–Zn) in the non-chelated system and 0.26 (Cu–Fe), 0.22 (Cu–Mn), and 0.90 (Cu–Zn) in the chelated. Reduction in the amount of available Cu was best described by the power function model (R2 = 0.91, SE = 0.081) in the non-chelated system and second order model (R2 = 0.95, SE = 0.010) in the chelated system. The applications generated from this study could be used as tools for improved micronutrient management and also provide baseline data for future work in other semi-arid/arid alkaline soils of the world. Findings are also more applicable to field settings, an improvement over related previous studies.