The effect on plant growth of treating soils with copper-carrying pyrite
1930
Smith, H.V.
Soils varying widely in texture, in soluble salt content, and in reaction were studied to determine the rates of sulfur oxidation when copper-carrying pyrites (1.26 to 1.63% copper) and flowers of sulfur were used as sources of sulfur. By means of pot-culture experiments the effects of these substances on barley plants were noted. Chemical analyses indicated an increase in the sulfate content of all soils, a decided lowering of the pH value of the acid soils, and little or no change in the pH of the alkaline soils. Observations and analyses of the crops did not indicate copper toxicity with the amounts of pyrite used. Chemical analyses of the soils indicated the production of too high concentrations of soluble salts in certain soils for best growth. Determinations of pH on the soils indicated conditions too acid for optimum plant growth in soils not originally well supplied with lime. Experiments both in the laboratory and in the screen garden showed that the sulfur in Jerome pyrite and in Nacozari pyrite was capable of fairly rapid oxidation to sulfate. Pyrite, carrying small amounts of copper, may be safely applied to calcareous soils in fairly large amounts. Acid soils should be treated with care, unless lime also is used.
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