The application of regional geochemical reconnaissance data in areas of arable cropping

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Abstract
Copper, magnesium, manganese and zinc have been studied in stream sediments and soils in five representative areas of arable cropping in southern and eastern England. Results have been assessed on the one hand in relation to the geochemistry of bedrock and soil parent materials, and on the other to crop production. Stream sediment data closely reflected the total concentration of copper, magnesium and zinc in soils and at the same time were proportionately related to “available” levels of copper and magnesium in soils. On the basis of reported problems and field trials, concentrations of less than 7 parts/106 Cu and 600 parts/106 Mg in sediments are likely to delineate areas within which a proportion of soils are deficient in these elements, possibly leading to a reduction in yields in sensitive arable crops. Zinc data for sediments and soils were difficult to evaluate in the absence of recognised deficiencies in field crops in Britain. The marked effect of soil Eh/pH on the mobility of manganese in soils and on its availability to plants limits the use of this technique in predicting deficient areas. The possible importance of marginal soil deficiencies of copper leading to reduced yields in cereals is discussed together with the potential value of regional geochemical maps in delineating areas where such problems may be of economic significance.