THE AMPHOTERIC NATURE OF THREE COASTAL PLAIN SOILS

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Abstract
1. Three Coastal Plain soils of Virginia, Portsmouth loamy fine sand. Bladon sandy loam, and Norfolk fine sand, with ultimate pH values 3.5, 3.6, and 4.7, resp., grew beets satisfactorily at pH values as low as 4.8. 4.9, and 5.7 or at about the same % saturation. The lowest pH values for good growth of strawberries were 4.6, 4.9, and 5.8; for spinach. 5.0, 5.4, and 5.5-6.0 for the 3 soils, resp. Al appeared in the drainage water at the pH values below which plants grew well. The addition of organic matter to the Bladen and Norfolk soils made it possible to grow plants at a lower pH Value. Opt. growth was made around pH 6.0 in all 3 soils.[long dash]II. The soils represent soils with wide variations in cation exchange capacity, replaceable bases, pH value. and organic matter content. These soils show different amphoteric points, which reflect differences in the leeching and absorption of soil constituents. Notable was the phosphate fixing power at low pH values which was in the following ascending order Portsmouth[long dash]Bladen[long dash]Norfolk. Analyses of the plants and drainage water show the limiting elements in plant growth and the available nutrients and toxants for the specific crops grown.

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