Effect of Gypsum Application Rate and Leaching Regime on Wheat Growth in a Highly Acidic Subsoil

C. D.A. McLay, University of Western Australia
G. S. P. Ritchie, University of Western Australia

Article comments

Copyright © 1995 Springer. The original publication is available at http://www.springer.com/environment/soil+science/book/978-0-7923-3198-8.

NOTE: At the time of publication, the author G.S.P. Ritchie was not yet affiliated with Cal Poly.

Abstract

A glasshouse experiment "was conducted to investigate gypsum application and leaching on the amelioration of" an aluminium (Al) toxic subsoil for wheat growth. Treatments included different rates of gypsum application and amount of leaching prior to wheat being grown. Wheat shoot growth increased when gypsum was applied in both the presence and absence of leaching, but growth was higher with leaching. Gypsum application led to a decrease in toxic Al as a result of a higher ionic strength and activity of AlSO₄⁺ion pairs in the soil solution, and increased Al leached from the soil. Root growth may not be a good bioassay for predicting wheat shoot responses to gypsum applications on acidic subsoils.