Mineral Element Content of Timothy (Phleum pratense L.) in an Acid Sulphate Soil Area of Tupos Village, Northern Finland

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Abstract
The mineral element contents of timothy samples collected from 45 acid sulphate soil sites in Tupos village were compared with Finnish average values. The correlation between the contents of the mineral elements and different soil variables was also examined. Tupos soils are not calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and zinc deficient, but timothy samples were deficient in these mineral elements, possibly due to the abundance of aluminium, and manganese, which can reduce uptake of those nutrients by plants. The selenium content in all timothy samples fell below the detection limit, but the nickel, cobalt and chromium content of timothy grown in acid sulphate soils was about five times greater than usually in Finland. The potassium, phosphorus and nickel content in timothy correlated significantly with the corresponding easily soluble element concentration in soil while the manganese, nickel and cobalt content correlated significantly with the corresponding soil pH value. The results point out the importance of heavy potassium and phosphorus fertilization on cultivated acid sulphate soils.