Field Calibration for Corn of the Mehlich-3 Soil Phosphorus Test with Colorimetric

and Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopy Determination Methods

Antonio P. Mallarino*
ABSTRACT was based on a colorimetric method. The North Central
Region Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Committee
Use of the Mehlich-3 soil extractant with an inductively coupled
(NCR-13) recommends an ascorbic acid-ammonium plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP) determination method (M3-ICP)
is displacing the original colorimetry-based test (M3-COL). Current molybdate colorimetric method (Frank et al., 1998) that
interpretations do not distinguish between these two versions, al- is based on the Murphy and Riley (1962) method. Re-
though the M3-ICP test often measures more P. This study correlated
search comparing the Mehlich-3 test and other P tests
these tests and the Bray-P
1
(BP) test with corn (Zea mays L.) yield
(Beegle and Oravec, 1990; Sen Tran et al., 1990; Mallar-
response at 59 Iowa locations (78 site-yr). The mean P measured by
ino and Blackmer, 1992; Mallarino, 1997) showed that
the M3-ICP, M3-COL, and BP tests was 31, 19, and 17 mg P kg
1
,
P measured with the Mehlich-3 test was similar to or
respectively. The M3-ICP/M3-COL ratio decreased exponentially
only slightly higher than P measured with the BP test
with increasing soil P(P0.01) but their difference was not correlated
in neutral or acidic soils, and suggested similar interpre-
with soil P. Relative or absolute differences tendedto decrease linearly
tations for both tests. However, the Mehlich-3 test often
(P 0.01) with increasing soil pH or organic C, but the strength of
measures more P than the BP test on high-pH CaCO
3
the relationship was poor (R
2
0.140.32). The BP test measured
significantly less P in a CaCO
3
affected soil (pH 8.1). The R
2
of the affected soils (Sen Tran et al., 1990; Mallarino and
relationship between M3-ICP and M3-COL was 0.84, and was 0.89 Blackmer, 1992; Mallarino, 1997), which has been attrib-
between the M3-COL and BP (0.97 excluding the site with pH 8.1).
uted to a significant buffer capacity of the Mehlich-3
Critical concentrations defined by Cate-Nelson and linear-plateau
extracting solution (Sen Tran et al., 1990; Mallarino
models for the M3-ICP, M3-COL, and BP tests were 20 to 32, 16 to
and Blackmer, 1992). Iowa field calibrations for corn
21, and 13 to 20 mg kg
1
, respectively. The M3-COL and M3-ICP
(Mallarino and Blackmer, 1992; Mallarino, 1997) showed
are equally effective for Iowa soils but interpretations differ. The
that the Mehlich-3 test was more effective than the BP
M3-ICP test should be considered a different test and its interpreta-
test and almost equally effective to the Olsen test (Olsen
tions should be based on field calibrations rather than conversions
et al., 1954) for predicting corn response to P across
based on M3-COL data. A range of 25 to 35 mg kg
1
for the M3-
many Iowa soils with pH values ranging from 5.2 to 8.2. ICP test would correspond to the optimum class (1620 mg kg
1
)
used in Iowa for the M3-COL and BP tests. Use of ICP in routine soil testing laboratories has
expanded rapidly since the early 1990s (Munter, 1990;
Jones, 1998). The ICP is based on characteristic optical
emission of atoms excited in a high-temperature (5000
S
everal soil P tests are used to estimate plant-avail-
8000 K) Ar plasma and provides simultaneous analysis
able P in production agriculture. The BP (Bray and
of many elements. This method is displacing the original
Kurtz, 1945; Frank et al., 1998) and Mehlich-3 (Mehlich,
Mehlich-3 test colorimetric P determination because
1984; Frank et al., 1998) tests are widely used in the
ICP equipment costs have decreased and the same ex-
USA Midwest. Early research (Kamprath and Watson,
tractant is used for other nutrients. Moreover, ICP is
1980; Fixen and Grove, 1990) showed that chemical
also being used to determine P for other soil P extract-
reactions between various soil constituents and the ex-
ants (Soltanpour et al., 1979; Khiari et al., 2000; Masson
tracting solutions could explain differences in the suit-
et al., 2001). Because sample molecules injected into
ability of soil-test P (STP) extractants for different soils.
the plasma undergo instantaneous vaporization, dissoci-
Laboratory and field studies (Eik et al., 1961; Smith
ation, and ionization, ICP measures other P forms in ad-
and Pesek, 1962; Sen Tran et al., 1990; Mallarino and
dition to orthophosphate P. Thus, the P measured with
Blackmer, 1992; Mallarino, 1997) showed that the BP
ICP sometimes is up to 50% higher than P measured
test is reliable on neutral or acid soils but underestimates
with the colorimetric methods and research has sug-
plant-available P on some high-pH CaCO
3
affected
gested that the additional P is mainly organic P (Hy-
soils. The underestimation of plant-available P by the
lander et al., 1995; Eckert and Watson, 1996; Eliason
BP test is usually attributed to neutralization of the acid
et al., 2001; Nathan et al., 2002). However, no consistent
extracting solution by CaCO
3
and/or precipitation of
relationships have been reported between the additional
the F by dissolved Ca (Smith et al., 1957; Fixen and
P measured with ICP and manure applications or soil or-
Grove, 1990).
ganic matter (Nathan and Sun, 1998b; Nathan et al.,
The Mehlich-3 extractant was developed for routine
2002).
soil testing of P, K, and other nutrients (Mehlich, 1984),
Most soil-test interpretations in the USA do not spec-
and the determination of extracted orthophosphate P
ify the method used to determine P extracted with the
Mehlich-3 extractant. In Iowa, however, interpretations
Dep. of Agronomy, Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA 50011. Received 27
Aug. 2002. *Corresponding author (apmallar@iastate.edu).
Abbreviations: BP, Bray-P
1
; M3-COL, Mehlich-3 with colorimetric
determination of extracted P; M3-ICP, Mehlich-3 with inductively Published in Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 68:19281934 (2003).
Soil Science Society of America coupled plasma emission spectroscopy determination of extracted P;
STP, soil-test P; Q-P, quadratic-plateau. 677 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA
1928
Published November, 2003
MALLARINO: FIELD CALIBRATION FOR CORN OF THE MEHLICH-3 PHOSPORUS TEST 1929
was measured with the pressure-calcimeter method (Sherrod apply only to the M3-COL test (Voss et al., 1999). Yet,
et al., 2002) in soils with pH 7.2, and ranged from 0 to 58 g
66% of routine soil testing labs enrolled in the North
kg
1
. These high-pH soils were classified as Canisteo (fine-
American Proficiency Testing Program for the Mehlich-3
loamy, mixed, superactive, calcareous, mesic Typic Endoa-
test were using the M3-ICP version by March 2002
quolls). Soil organic C was measured with a high-temperature
(Miller, 2002). Field response research is needed to com-
induction furnace combustion method by measuring total C
pare the efficacy of the M3-COL and M3-ICP tests for
with a LECO CHN-2000 analyzer (LECO Corp., St. Joseph,
predicting crop response to P and to establish critical
MI) and correcting the result for samples with pH 7.2 by
concentration ranges for the M3-ICP test. The objectives
subtracting inorganic C measured with the pressure-calcime-
of this study were to correlate the M3-ICP test with the ter method.
Soil P was analyzed with the BP and M3-COL tests using grain yield response of corn across several Iowa soils, to
procedures recommended for the North Central Region compare these correlations with those for the M3-COL
(Frank et al., 1998). For the BP test, 1 g of soil was extracted
and BP tests, and to establish preliminary agronomic
with 10 mL of the extractant solution (0.03 M NH
4
F and
interpretations for the M3-ICP test for Iowa soils.
0.025M HCl) by shaking during 5 min. For the M3-COL test,
1 g of soil was extracted with 10 mL of the extractant solution
MATERIALS AND METHODS
(0.2M CH
3
COOH, 0.25M NH
4
NO
3
, 0.015M NH
4
F, 0.013M
HNO
3
, and 0.001M EDTA) by shaking during 5 min. Both
Grain yields and soil samples for this study were collected
extractions were performed on duplicate samples. Extracts
from P response trials conducted at 59 Iowa locations from
were filtered through Whatman No. 42 paper, and P was de-
1989 to 1997. There were 78 site-yr of data because 13 trials
termined by an ascorbic acid-ammonium molybdate colori-
were evaluated 2 yr and three trials were evaluated 3 yr (treat-
metric method based on the Murphy and Riley (1962) method.
ments were reapplied each year). The soils represented 17
Comparisons of recent and older analyses for soil pH, BP,
soil series in which row-crop production predominates, and
and M3-COL tests showed no consistent differences. Thus,
corresponded tosoil survey subgroups Aquic Argiudoll, Aquic
means of all results were used in this study. For the ICP P
Hapludoll, Mollic Hapludalf, Typic Argiudoll, Typic Endoa-
determination, two aliquots of the Mehlich-3 extracts used for
quoll, Typic Hapludalf, Typic Hapludoll, and Udollic Endoa-
the most recent colorimetric determination were analyzed for
qualf. Details of most trials such as tillage system, fertilization
P with a Thermo Jarrell-Ash ICP atomic emission spectrome-
rates, placement methods, yield responses, and optimum P
ter (Thermo Elemental, Franklin, MA) equipped with a
rates were partly summarized before (Mallarino et al., 1991;
charged injection device (Epperson et al., 1988; Jones, 1997).
Mallarino and Blackmer, 1992; Webb et al., 1992; Bordoli and
The grain yield data used in this study is expressed as rela-
Mallarino, 1998; Borges and Mallarino, 2001). Thirty-one trials
tive responses to P. Relative response was calculated for each
evaluated four P fertilization rates for corn managed with
site-year by dividing the mean yield of the control plots by
plowand/or disk tillage, 13 trials evaluated three P fertilization
the mean of the highest P fertilization treatment, and multi-
rates applied broadcast or banded for no-tilled corn, and 15
plying the result by 100. In sites that evaluated P placement
trials evaluated three various P fertilization rates applied ei-
methods, means of the highest P rate were calculated across
ther broadcast or banded for ridge-tilled corn. The P treat-
all methods because yield response was seldom affected by
ments always included a nonfertilized control, and the largest
the P placement method, including sites managed with
P rate at each trial ranged from 35 to 75 kg P ha
1
(granulated
no-tillage or ridge-tillage (Bordoli and Mallarino, 1998; Borges
triple superphosphate). There were three or four replications
and Mallarino, 2001). For 1-yr trials, one pair of data (relative
at each site, and randomized-plot or completely randomized-
yield and soil-test P) is represented in figures by one point
block designs were used.
because initial soil P was measured on one initial composite
The P treatments were applied in October or November
soil sample. For trials evaluated 2 or 3 yr, one pair of data
(fall) or in March or April (spring) before planting. Broadcast
for each year is represented by one point, and the soil-test
P was incorporated by chisel plowing and/or disking at sites
data represent the mean value for the control plots.
managed with chisel-plow tillage, was applied in the fall and
Soil test critical concentrations were calculated with the
not incorporated at sites managed with no-tillage, and was
statistical Cate-Nelson (C-N) method (Cate and Nelson, 1971),
incorporated with the sweep of the planters at ridge-till sites.
and with the linear-plateau (L-P) and quadratic-plateau (Q-P)
The banded treatments were deep-banded (15 cm) in the fall
segmentedmodels (Waughet al., 1973). The critical concentra-
using a 76- to 97-cm lateral spacing depending on the row
tion defined by the C-N method was determined with the
spacing used or were banded with the planter (5 cm beside
General Linear Models (GLM) procedure of SAS (SAS Insti-
and below the seed level). Other crop management practices
tute, 2000) as the value that split the yield response data into
were those normally used by the farm operators, and N and
the two groups that accounted for the largest proportion of the
K were applied were uniformly applied to all plots at each
total variability (R
2
). Critical concentrations defined by the
sites following Iowa State University recommendations.
segmented models were determined with the Nonlinear Model
Composite soil samples were collected before applying the
(NLIN) procedure of SAS, and represent the soil-test values
treatments. In sites managed with chisel-plow or no-tillage,
at which the two portions of each model joined.
12 cores were collected from a 15-cm depth. In fields managed
with ridge-tillage, 45 cores were collected from a 15-cm depth
in equal proportions from the ridge top, ridge shoulders, and
RESULTS
valley positions. The samples were stored at 5C from 4 to
12 wk after sampling, dried at 30 to 40C (depending on the Amounts of Phosphorus Extracted by the Soil Tests
trial and year), crushed to pass through a 2-mm sieve, and
The average soil P measured by the M3-ICP, M3-COL,
stored in plastic-lined bags in a room with temperature main-
and BP tests across all sites was 31, 19, and 17 mg P
tained at approximately 23C and 65% relative humidity. For
kg
1
, respectively. Coefficients of determination (R
2
) of
this study, all soil samples were dried again at 35C and re-
relationships between tests across sites were 0.84 for the analyzed. Soil pH (based on a 1:1 soil/water ratio) ranged
from 5.3 to 8.1 across sites. The sum of soil CaCO
3
and MgCO
3
M3-ICP and M3-COL tests and 0.89 for the M3-COL
1930 SOIL SCI. SOC. AM. J., VOL. 68, NOVEMBERDECEMBER 2003
Fig. 1. Correlations between amounts of soil P measured with three
Fig. 2. Relationships between soil P measured with the Mehlich-3
soil P tests. M3-COL Mehlich-3 with P determination based on
extractant with determination of extracted P based on colorimetry
colorimetry, and M3-ICP Mehlich-3 with P determination based
(M3-COL) and the relative (a) or absolute (b) difference from soil
on inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy. The determi-
P measured by the same extractant but with determination of ex-
nation of P extracted with the Bray-P
1
test was also based on
tracted P based on inductively coupled plasma emission spectros-
colorimetry. Arrows indicate data for a site with the highest pH
copy (M3-ICP).
(8.1) and CaCO
3
concentration (58 g kg
1
).
COL test measured more P than the BP test in CaCO
3
and BP tests. Excluding a site with CaCO
3
affected soil
affected soils and that it correlated better with the Olsen (pH 8.1 and 58 g kg
1
CaCO
3
, the highest values in the
test than with the BP test. study) from the regression analyses did not affect the
Data in Fig. 2a show that the relative difference be- relationship between the M3-ICP and M3-COL tests
tween the M3-ICP and M3-COL (their ratio) decreased (the R
2
increased only to 0.85). However, excluding this
exponentially with increasing soil P (M3-COL). How- site significantly improved the relationship between the
ever, there was no correlation between the absolute M3-COL and BP tests and the R
2
increased to 0.97
difference between the two tests and the soil P level (Fig. 1). Excluding four other soils with pH ranging
(Fig. 2b). Similar trends were observed for relationships from 7.4 to 7.7 did not change the R
2
of the relationships,
between the M3-ICP and BP tests (not shown), and the probably because CaCO
3
plus MgCO
3
was lower (3.6%)
absolute or relative differences between the M3-COL and the BP test was not affected as much. The higher
and BP tests were not correlated with the soil P level. amount of P measured with ICP compared with the
These results indicate that the additional P measured colorimetric determination method across the soils of
with ICP was proportionally higher at low values of this study agree with other results (Hylander et al., 1995;
extractable orthophosphate P. These relationships must Eckert and Watson, 1996; Nathan and Sun, 1998a,
be interpreted with caution, however, because they may 1998b; Eliason et al., 2001; Nathan et al., 2002). The
have been affected by variation in soil pH and organic lower P measured with the BP test in some high-pH
C. The additional P measured with the M3-ICP test (CaCO
3
affected) soils compared with the M3-COLtest
compared with the M3-COL test was negatively and was also observed by others (Sen Tran et al., 1990;
linearly related with soil pH and soil organic C when it Mallarino and Blackmer, 1992; Mallarino, 1997). Mal-
was expressed either in relative or absolute terms (Fig. 3 larino (1997) evaluated differences in amount of P ex-
and 4). The strength of the relationships was weak, tracted by the BP, M3-COL, and Olsen P tests from
however. The negative relationships between the addi- samples collected from a wider range of Iowa soil series
and management practices, and showed that the M3- tional P measured with the M3-ICP test compared with
MALLARINO: FIELD CALIBRATION FOR CORN OF THE MEHLICH-3 PHOSPORUS TEST 1931
Fig. 4. Relationships between soil organic C and the (a) relative or Fig. 3. Relationships between soil pH and the (a) relative or (b) abso-
(b) absolute difference in soil Pmeasured by the Mehlich-3 extract- lute difference in soil P measured by the Mehlich-3 extractant with
ant with determinationof extractedPbasedoncolorimetry (M3-COL) determination of extracted P based on colorimetry (M3-COL) or
or inductively coupled emission spectroscopy (M3-ICP). inductively coupled emission spectroscopy (M3-ICP).
the M3-COL test and organic C, although weak, sug-
site-years (not shown). Relationships between relative
gests that the additional measured P is not extracted
corn yield response and soil P measured with the three
organic P or is organic P not related to the measured or-
tests are shown in Fig. 5. When the result for the soil
ganic C. Increasing soil organic C could have increased
with high CaCO
3
concentration is excluded, the shapes
the additional P measured with the M3-ICP test because
of relationships for the three tests suggest no major
previous research (Eliason et al., 2001; Nathan et al.,
differences in the capacity of the tests to estimate plant-
2002) showed that at least part of the additional P mea-
available P across the sites included in the study. The
sured with the ICP determination method derived from
location of the data point for the high-CaCO
3
soil dem-
organic P. However, other research showed no relation-
onstrates that the BP test grossly underestimated plant-
ship between additional P measured with an ICP deter-
available P in this CaCO
3
affected soil compared with
mination method and soil organic matter or previous
the M3-ICP or M3-COL tests. This result was shown
manure applications (Nathan and Sun, 1998b, Nathan
before when comparing the M3-COL, BP, and Olsen
et al., 2002). Interpretations of cause and effect are dif-
tests (Mallarino and Blackmer, 1992, Mallarino, 1997),
ficult and speculation is risky, however, because the high
and this study confirms that the M3-ICP also is better
pH soils tended to have higher organic C (r 0.38,
than the BP test for these soils.
P 0.01).
Critical soil-test P concentrations calculated by the
C-N, L-P, and Q-P models are shown in Table 1. Critical
Field Correlation of Yield Response to Phosphorus
concentrations varied markedly depending on the model
used, a result that was shown before using more models
Field response trials that consider crop production
(Dahnke and Olson, 1990; Mallarino and Blackmer,
conditions and encompass wide STP ranges provide the
1992). The critical concentrations determined for the most appropriate basis for soil test interpretations. The
M3-ICP test was higher than those determined for the variety of growing conditions resulted in grain yields
M3-COL and BP tests. The minor difference between across sites that ranged from 5.5 to 13.2 Mg ha
1
(means
the M3-COL and BP tests coincide with results from of the treatment that received the largest P rate at each
Pennsylvania soils (Beegle and Ovarec, 1990) and with site). Analysis of variance of P effects on yield indicated
a yield response (P 0.05) in approximately 40% of the previous results from Iowa (Mallarino and Blackmer,
1932 SOIL SCI. SOC. AM. J., VOL. 68, NOVEMBERDECEMBER 2003
Table 1. Critical concentrations of soil-test P for corn estimated
by three soil tests and three models.
Critical
Soil test Model Equation R
2
concentration
mg P kg
1
M3-ICP C-N na 0.46 20
L-P Y 63.8 1.0X 0.47 32
Q-P Y 55.1 2.0X0.023X
2
0.47 43
M3-COL C-N na 0.38 16
L-P Y 72.1 1.2X 0.45 21
Q-P Y 65.0 2.4X0.042X
2
0.45 28
BP C-N na 0.42 13
L-P Y 73.2 1.3X 0.43 20
Q-P Y 65.8 2.5X0.049X
2
0.43 26
BP Bray-P
1
, M3-COL Mehlich-3 with determination of extracted
P based on colorimetry, and M3-ICP Mehlich-3 with determination
of extracted P based on inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy.
C-NCate-Nelson, L-P linear-plateau, and Q-P quadratic plateau.
The statistical significance was P 0.001 for all models. The L-P and
Q-Pmodels apply for Xvalues the soil Pcritical concentration showed,
which is the value at which the two portions of each model join. The
fit of all models was significant at P 0.001.
not applicable.
Regressions for the BP test excluded data for one CaCO
3
affected site
with pH 8.1. Including that site reduced the R
2
to 0.38 but did not
change the estimated critical concentrations.
tion. Critical concentration ranges defined by the C-N
and L-P models in this study were 20 to 32 mg kg
1
for
the M3-ICP test, 16 to 21 mg kg
1
for the M3-COL test,
and 13 to 20 mg kg
1
for the BP test.
The critical concentration ranges defined by the C-N
and L-P models for the M3-COL and BP tests match
well with the optimum category of current Iowa inter-
pretations for corn and soybean [Glycine max (L.)
Merr.] for most soils of the state (1620 mg P kg
1
for
both tests, Voss et al., 1999), which are based on pre-
viously described relationships between soil-test values
and yield response. Only P fertilization to maintain STP
based on expected crop P removal is recommended
within this category. These interpretations approximately
coincide with interpretations in neighboring states, al-
though the names of the classes used and the resulting
fertilizer recommendations vary (Gerwing and Gelder-
Fig. 5. Relationships between relative yield response of corn and soil-
man, 1998; Hoeft and Peck, 2001; Rehm et al., 2001;
test P measured with three soil P tests. M3-COL Mehlich-3 with
P determination based on colorimetry, and M3-ICP Mehlich-3 Shapiro et al., 2001).
with Pdetermination basedon inductively coupled plasma emission
There is no clearly superior or widely accepted method
spectroscopy. The determination of P extracted with the Bray-P
1
for defining agronomically optimum critical concentra-
test was also based on colorimetry. Arrows indicate data for a site
tion ranges (Dahnke and Olson, 1990; Mallarino and
with the highest pH (8.1).
Blackmer, 1992). Applying the current optimum inter-
pretation range (1620 mg P kg
1
) used in Iowa for the 1992; Mallarino, 1997). Plots of distribution of residuals
did not add more meaningful information concerning M3-COL and BP tests to corn responses in this study cor-
responds to mean relative response values of 95 to 96%. model fit than data presented in Fig. 5 or Table 1 and
are not shown. The results show that the M3-ICP has a However, the 20 to 32 mg kg
1
range identified by the
C-N and L-P models for the M3-ICP test corresponds similar capacity to predict response to P as the M3-COL,
although the critical concentration is higher indepen- to a slightly lower mean yield response (92%). The range
is also wider, probably because of less well-defined dis- dently of the model used to estimate it and a different
calibration is required. Previous research (Mallarino tinction between responsive and not responsive soils by
the M3-ICP test and also because of higher measured and Blackmer, 1992) showed that short-term economi-
cally optimum soil P critical concentrations usually are P. Calculations based on moving averages fromresponse
data in Fig. 5 for the M3-ICP test based on a range within a range of critical concentrations defined by the
C-N and L-P models. They showed that critical concen- width of 12 mg P kg
1
(the range defined by the C-N
and L-P models) indicated that STP ranges varying from trations defined by the quadratic or Q-P models usually
are much higher compared with those defined by the 22 to 34 to 24 to 36 mg kg
1
correspond to a 95% mean
relative yield response. Thus, an interpretation category C-N and L-P models, and its use in simulated scenarios
across many fields resulted in smaller returns to fertiliza- for the M3-ICP test encompassing 25 to 35 mg P kg
1
MALLARINO: FIELD CALIBRATION FOR CORN OF THE MEHLICH-3 PHOSPORUS TEST 1933
tractant into existing soil test interpretation schemes. Commun.
would approximately correspond to the Optimum inter-
Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 27:12371249.
pretation category currently used for the M3-COL and
Eik, K., J.R. Webb, and C.A. Black. C.M Smith, and J.T. Pesek.
BP tests. The data do not support a narrower range.
1961. Evaluation of residual effects of phosphate fertilization by
Because the difference between the M3-ICP and laboratory and plant-response methods. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc.
25:2124. M3-COL tests is caused by the use of a different method
Eliason, R., J.A. Lamb, and G.W. Rehm. 2001. Colorimetric and
for measuring extracted P, it is reasonable to assume
ICP measurement of P extracted by the Mehlich III procedure.
that interpretations for the M3-ICP derived for corn in
Agronomy Abstracts. CD-ROM. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madi-
this study would also apply to other Iowa crops for
son, WI.
Epperson, P.M., J.V. Sweedler, R.B. Bilhorn, G.R. Sims, and M.B. which the same interpretation class and P fertilization
Denton. 1988. Applications of charge transfer devices in spectros-
criterion are used. The same optimum category for both
copy. Anal. Chem. 60:327335.
the M3-COL and BP tests and a P recommendation for
Fixen, P.E., and J.H. Grove. 1990. Testing soils for phosphorus.
only maintenance fertilization (based on expected P
p. 141179. In R.L. Westerman (ed.) Soil testing and plant analysis.
removal in harvested products) are used for corn grown
3rd ed. SSSA Book Series No. 3. SSSA, Madison, WI.
Frank, K., D. Beegle, and J. Denning. 1998. Phosphorus. p. 2129. In for grain or silage, soybean, sorghum [Sorghum bicolor
J.L. Brown (ed.) Recommended chemical soil test procedures for
(L.) Moench], oat (Avena sativa), sunflower (Helianthus
the North Central region. North Central Regional Publ. No. 221
annus), and several forages used for hay or pasture.
(Rev.). Missouri Exp. Stn. Publ. SB1001. Univ. of Missouri. Colum-
bia. Available at http://www.muextension.missouri.edu/xplorpdf/
miscpubs/sb1001.pdf.
CONCLUSIONS
Gerwing, J., and R. Gelderman. 1998. Fertilizer recommendation
guide. South Dakota Coop. Ext. Serv. Publ. EC 750. Brookings.
The results showed that M3-COL and M3-ICP tests
Hoeft, R.G., and T.R. Peck. 2001. Soil testing and fertility. p. 78116.
had similar capacity to predict corn response to P fertil-
In Illinois Agronomy Handbook 20012002. Circ. 1360. Coop. Ext.
ization but the M3-ICP test measured more soil P. The
Serv., Univ. of Illinois. Urbana.
M3-COL test measured only slightly higher (2 mg kg
1
Hylander, L.D., H.I. Svensson, and G. Siman. 1995. Comparison of
different methods for determination of phosphorus in calciumchlo- on average) P than the BP test, which confirms previous
ride extracts for prediction of availability to plants. Commun. Soil
Iowa research. The absolute difference between the
Sci. Plant Anal. 26:913925.
M3-ICP and M3-COL tests was not correlated with the
Jones, J.B., Jr. 1997. Elemental analysis of soil extracts and plant
soil P level, ranged from 0 to 28 mg kg
1
across sites
tissue ash by plasma emission spectroscopy. Commun. Soil Sci.
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considered as a different test from the traditional M3-
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COL test, and its interpretations should be based on
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and L-P models were 20 to 32 mg kg
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20 mg kg
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Mallarino, A.P. 1997. Interpretation of soil phosphorus tests for corn
in soils with varying pH and calcium carbonate content. J. Prod. tests were better predictors of crop response to P than
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the BP test in one high-pH, CaCO
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affected soil. A
Mallarino, A.P., and A.M. Blackmer. 1992. Comparison of methods
range of 25 to 35 mg kg
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approximately correspond to the current optimum class
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of 16 to 20 mg kg
1
used in Iowa for the M3-COL and
Mallarino, A.P., J.R. Webb, and A.M. Blackmer. 1991. Corn and
soybean yields during 11 years of phosphorus and potassium fertil- BP tests and several crops.
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