Characterisation of the magnesium status of soils by means of the EUF-Mg fractions

Summary On the basis of pot experiments carried out on soils with different Mg contents using ryegrass, it could be established that Mg uptake by ryegrass is closely related to Mg in the EUF extracts. The Mg contents in the EUF extracts are therefore suitable indices of actually and potentially available Mg in soils.The ratio between Mg in the EUF extracts and Mg deposited on the electrode + filter varies. The absolute amount of Mg in the EUF extracts increases with increasing Mg content of the soils. The higher, however, the total desorbable Mg the lower are the Mg contents in the EUF extracts in comparison with the Mg contents deposited on electrode + filter. Besides total desorbable Mg the EUF-Mg fractions are influenced as well by the organic and inorganic CEC and by soil pH. The amount of EUF filtrate flowing through filter and electrode also has an influence on the amount of Mg in the EUF filtrate.Consequently for a proper evaluation of available soil Mg total EUF-Mg (Mg in the EUF filtrate + Mg deposited on electrode + filter) should be used.