CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SOME AGRICULTURAL LAND OF THE ARGES COUNTY SUB-CARPATHIAN AREA

Abstract

The High Plain of Pitesti in the south of Arges county is an excellent location for food production. However, Arges county is experiencing a significant decrease in productivity due to the acidity of its soil. This acidity is related to the behavior of certain soil properties essential for plant growth. The present work aims to study the pH behavior according to certain chemical parameters such as: exchangeable aluminum. To achieve this goal, forty-four soil samples were taken in the Costesti locality and sent to the soil laboratory where physical-chemical analyzes were performed. High concentrations of Al3+ in the nutrient solution cause harmful effects on the roots, which undergo morphological changes, turn black, reduce their growth in length and thickness, and fundamental changes in the capacity to absorb and retain cations occur. Thus, Al3+ ions cause a desorption of Ca2+, K + and Mg2+ ions and other species of cations from the pectocellubasic layer of root hairs, worsening nutrition, the absorption of these cations decreasing and increasing that of Al3+. It also reduces phosphorus nutrition, which precipitates as aluminum phosphates on the root surface. The risks of aluminum toxicity should not be overlooked. The rate of ammonia fertilizer use in the study area should be reduced, especially in soils with a pH below 5.4. It is recommended that strong bases input be used in these slightly acidic or acidic soils.