Soil pH, as measured in different solutions with water and with 0.01M CaCl² and the nutrient content of some coffee soils

Abstract

Soil pH measurements were taken in various dilutions of water containing 0.01 M CaCl , and total and usable Cu and some nutrients were determined in the soil at sites that had been subjected to extensive treatments and cultural practices for over ten years at the Coffee Research Station. The pH measured in 1.1 3 12.5 dilutions with 0.01M CaCl was more consistent when compared to the pH measured in water. Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) cultivation produced soil low in K (1.48 me percent), and high in Mg and Ca (2.02 3 8.98 me percent) respectively, compared to soil high in K (2.36 me percent), low in Mg (1.94 me percent), and Ca (8.14 me percent) where coffee was grown and elephant grass was used as mulch. Usable Cu was about 10 percent of the total Cu.) increased at sites with copper spray applications. Usable P was low in all areas sampled. There was a better corvelation established in the soil pH measured in CaCl solution, 0.01M) the values ​​were more consistent than with the pH measured in water.