Factors controlling the increase of cobalt in plants following the addition of a cobalt fertilizer

Abstract

The effect of applied cobalt on the cobalt content of pasture plants has been studied in pot, field, and laboratory experiments. The generally poor agreement between pot and field experiments may be partly due to the noted variation of cobalt status of pasture with season and the influence of waterlogging. Cobalt treatments were effective for at least 2 yr on the humus podzol soils, but there was only a residual effect for 1 yr on other soils. Alteration of the soil pH did not prove a satisfactory means of increasing cobalt status of pasture on soils where it was most required. The efficiency of cobalt fertilizers as a means of alleviating problems of cobalt deficiency depends on the manganese content of the soil. Plants grown on soils containing > 1000 p.p.m. of total manganese are unlikely to benefit from application of cobalt fertilizer to the soil, necessitating foliar application by sprays or the use of cobalt oxide pellets for stock.

Pedogenic factors and measurements of the plant uptake of cobalt

“…Given the general low and narrow range of Co concentrations found in most soils, the first two groups are probably indistinguishable in field conditions. In fact, plant Co concentrations are typically <10 mg/kg and, more often than not, <1 mg/kg (Adams and Honeysett 1964;Adams et al 1969;Gille and Graham 1971;Gupta 1993;Klessa et al 1989;Li et al 2004;McLaren et al 1987;McLaren and Williams 1981;Nicolls and Honeysett 1964;Paterson et al 1991;Price et al 1955;Rosbrook et al 1992;Sherrell et al 1990). For comparative purposes, the threshold deficiency concentration of Co in pastures for sheep and cattle grazing has been identified as 0.05-0.1 mg/kg (Gupta 1993;Klessa et al 1989;Sherrell 1990b;Sherrell et al 1990).…”

Ion Exchange, Thermal Transformations, and Oxidizing Properties of Birnessite

“…The cation-exchange preference of birnessite for heavy metals makes it important from a pollution-abatement point of view and in controlling the availability of certain trace elements, some of which are essential to plants and animals (e.g., Co and Cu). Adams et al (1969) showed that the availability of cobalt to plants is controlled to a large extent by the amount of manganese in the soil.…”

Micronutrient Adsorption by Soils and Soil Colloids

“…Attempts to relate soiI micronutrient adsorption characteristics to plant uptake of micronutrients added to the soil have been generally more successful than the studies with native soiI micronutrients. For example Adams et al (1969) and McLaren et al (1987) have both shown that, at least in the short term, uptake of fertilizer Co can be related to the gradients of soil Co adsorption isotherms (Figure 9.31 and 9.32).…”