Organic acid mediated nutrient extraction efficiency in three calcareous soils

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of organic acids on the concentrations of metals and anions in soil solution. Three soils with contrasting CaCO3 contents were extracted with organic acid solutions (citrate and oxalate) of different concentrations for different time periods and analysed for Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, P, and Ca. The soils showed a significant change after the addition of the organic acids to the soil. The mobilisation of metals from the solid phase was dependent on concentration and ionic form of organic acid. High concentrations of citric acid were more effective than oxalate in mobilising Ca, Fe, Mn, and Zn. Overall; oxalate was slightly more effective than citrate in mobilising P. Generally, the higher the organic acid concentration of the extractant solution, the greater was the amount of elements extracted from the soil. Citrate tended to be more effective than oxalate at mobilising elements from the soil. All pH changes were dependent on organic acid concentration.