Summary
This study examined zinc status in 475 soils from the Amhara Region of Ethiopia, a zone of widespread human zinc deficiency, using multiple analytical methods including stable isotope dilution. Soil pH emerged as the dominant control of zinc lability and solubility, explaining 94% of variation in partitioning between solid and solution phases and 86% of variation in soluble zinc. The findings indicate that most sampled soils contain insufficient plant-available zinc, with labile zinc comprising only 4.7–8.0% of total zinc, suggesting potential for agronomic interventions to address crop zinc concentrations.
UK applicability
This research focuses on tropical African soil conditions and zinc deficiency patterns not directly representative of UK agricultural contexts. However, the methodological approach—particularly the use of isotopic exchangeability to assess zinc bioavailability—may inform UK soil testing protocols and understanding of zinc dynamics in high-pH UK soils, though UK soils typically have higher total and available zinc.
Key measures
Pseudo-total zinc (aqua regia digestion), DTPA-extractable zinc, soluble zinc (0.01 M Ca(NO₃)), isotopically exchangeable zinc (⁷⁰Zn), soil pH, and partitioning coefficients
Outcomes reported
The study quantified zinc status in 475 Ethiopian soil samples using multiple analytical fractions (pseudo-total, DTPA-extractable, soluble, and isotopically exchangeable zinc) and assessed how soil geochemical properties, particularly pH, influence zinc lability and solubility. Results showed widespread phyto-available zinc deficiency in these soils, with labile zinc partitioning highly dependent on soil pH.
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