Content of Trace Elements in Soil Fertilized with Potassium and Nitrogen

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of increasing potassium fertilization (0, 140, 190, and 240 mg K2O/kg of soil) in the interaction with nitrogen fertilization (130 and 170 mg N/kg of soil) on the trace elements content in the typical, non-contaminated agricultural soil. The trace elements content in the soil depended on nitrogen and potassium fertilization. Potassium fertilization had a more significant effect on trace elements content in the soil fertilized at the same time with a lower nitrogen dose (130 mg N/kg soil). Increasing potassium fertilization increased the content of cadmium by 83% and lead by 32% and reduced the amounts of chromium by 10% and iron by 3% in the soil, particularly in the series with a lower nitrogen dose (130 mg N/kg soil). The effect of potassium fertilization on the content of other trace elements was less unambiguous since, for most of trace elements, lower doses of this fertilizer contributed to growth of trace element, while higher doses lead to a decrease in their accumulation in the soil. Nitrogen fertilization increased the contents of zinc and iron—3%, copper—9%, manganese—12%, chromium—15%, and cobalt—59%, while reducing the contents of cadmium and nickel—24% and lead—45%. Permissible standards for trace elements content in the soil have not been exceeded.

Potassium and Nitrogen Fertilization vs. Trace Element Content of Maize (Zea mays L.)

“…Plant samples were collected during the corn harvest. The effect of potassium and nitrogen fertilizers on the trace element content in soil was published in an earlier paper [7]. Here, the trace element content in maize was analyzed.…”

“…The research was conducted in a vegetation hall on soil sourced from a typical arable humus horizon of brown earth (Eutric Cambisol), with a particle size distribution classified as sand (90.28% of >0.05 mm sand, 7.86% of 0.002-0.05 mm silt, and 1.86% of <0.002 mm clay), according to the World Reference Base for Soil Resources [20]. The properties of the soil were presented in a previous paper [7]. The study was conducted in two blocks: at lower (N-130 mg/kg) and higher (N-170 mg/kg soil) nitrogen inputs.…”

“…However, it should be noted that the long-term use of mineral fertilizers did not increase the content of these metals. In a study by Wyszkowski and Brodowska [7], nitrogen fertilization increased some trace element levels, e.g., zinc, iron, copper, manganese, chromium, and cobalt, with simultaneous decreases in cadmium, nickel, and lead. Potassium fertilizers caused an increase of cadmium and lead levels, while an inverse effect was found on chromium and iron levels in soil.…”

“…Trace elements in arable lands originate from air pollutants, mostly those emitted around industrial sites-especially various factories, power plants, mines, and transport routes [3,4]. In areas located further away from industrial sources of air pollution, trace elements are provided through fertilization with sewage sludge and irrigation with sewage effluent [3,5,6], mineral, natural, and organic fertilizers, and plant protection agents [3,7]. Fertilizers and other chemicals used in agriculture must comply with the applicable legal standards [8].…”

Metal Tolerance Protein Encoding Gene Family in Fagopyrum tartaricum: Genome-Wide Identification, Characterization and Expression under Multiple Metal Stresses

“…Trace elements, including metallic elements such as iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn), are important to maintain normal growth and development in plants [ 1 , 2 ]. However, the growth and production of plants could be inhibited if they absorb excessive amounts of these trace elements [ 3 ].…”